ABSTRACT
The incidence of lower extremity trauma sustained by runners has escalated with the growing popularity of running (Gross and Napoli, 1993). Many of these problems may be related to foot structure and function during the support phase of running (Bates, James and Osternig, 1978; Drez, 1980) with excessive foot pronation being thought to be a major cause Foot orthotic devices are frequently prescribed with the aim of holding and supporting the foot in a biomechanically optimal position. The position of the foot where it functions most efficiently with the least amount of stress on the joints, ligaments and tendons is referred to as the “neutral position of the subtalar joint.” Orthotic devices have been found to diminish or eradicate compensatory motion at the subtalar joint (McKenzie, Clement and Taunton, 1985; Subotnick, 1983).
