Screening Soldiers with Orthotics to Prevent Injuries

Can Custom Orthotics Prevent Injuries in the Military?

"Here, in a feasibility trial, researchers concluded that intervention with foot orthoses, Formthotics, produced a statistically significant reduction in injuries in a cohort of military recruits. I'm not aware that a larger-scale work based on this protocol was conducted, but those results would be significant." - Dr Bob Eckles

Inadequate footwear is responsible for injuries affecting up to 10% of New Zealand Army personnel at any given time. This feasibility study tested a novel screening protocol to prescribe custom foot orthotics (Formthotics) to new military recruits. Over 3 months and 900+ participants, the orthotic intervention group saw a statistically significant reduction in lower limb, foot, and back injuries compared to the control group.

Results suggest that preventative orthotic use could play a vital role in reducing overuse injuries, stress fractures, and chronic pain in high-demand settings like the military.

🔍 Want to see how foot orthotics like Formthotics can reduce injury risk in tactical populations?

Download the full study to learn more.