Fit and comfort of infantry boots in Land Forces of Latvia

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Investigate infantry footwear comfort and fit to establish its' possible relation with lower extremity overuse injuries. We carried out a cross-sectional study at the Latvian National Army Logistic Command Military Medical Support Centre. Participation was voluntary, and all study participants provided written informed consent.  In total, 227 (males, n=213; females, n=14) active-duty infantry soldiers at a mean age of 29.5 years old, and with an average service time of 7.2 years were assessed for history of overuse injury, footprint length, appropriate shoe size, and footwear comfort. Sixty-six (29%) of all study participants were selected for detailed testing to assess the relationship between footwear comfort and lower leg overuse injury; all were males with a history of overuse injury (n=32) and non-injured age-matched controls (n=34). The mean overall footwear comfort rating was 6.4 (males 6.5; females 5.9), and the forefoot cushioning had the lowest mean rating 6.1 (males 6.1; females 5.6). 37 (56.1%) of study subjects were wearing an inappropriate shoe size daily. No relationship was found between footwear comfort and history of lower leg overuse injury. Study results showed that inappropriate infantry boot size significantly affects footwear comfort ratings. History of previous lower extremity overuse injury was not related to either shoe size selection or footwear comfort ratings. Based on our study results, we recommend footprint length assessment for proper footwear size selection.
Original languageEnglish
Pages353
Publication statusPublished - 24 Mar 2021
EventRSU Research week 2021: Knowledge for Use in Practice - Rīga, Latvia
Duration: 24 Mar 202126 Mar 2021
https://rw2021.rsu.lv/conferences/knowledge-use-practice

Conference

ConferenceRSU Research week 2021: Knowledge for Use in Practice
Abbreviated titleRW2021
Country/TerritoryLatvia
CityRīga
Period24/03/2126/03/21
Internet address

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 3.4. Other publications in conference proceedings (including local)

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