To investigate whether a prefabricated Orthotic inserted into running shoes will increase comfort, decrease injury and improve speed during recreational running as compared to running shoes without the prefabricated Orthotic.

Running is the most accessible sport in the world. Data from the UK House of Commons has indicated that running has become the favourite exercise among adults 16 or older. However, as the sport grows, so too does the number of running-related injuries (RRIs).

An Orthotic is a device that is placed inside the shoe and functions as a cushion to absorb the shock transmitted on contact with the ground; in addition, they also affect muscle activation that can benefit the user. However, in contemporaneous medical literature, there are mixed views and opinions on whether the use of Orthotics reduces running-related injuries.

This is a randomised control trial that will be conducted over an 8-week period, during which participants will be asked to complete runs and provide data in the form of completed surveys. The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether a prefabricated Orthotic inserted into running shoes will increase comfort, decrease injury and improve speed during recreational running as compared to running shoes without the prefabricated Orthotic.

The study population will include 106 participants who will be randomised into the study and control group. Participants in the study group will be provided with an Orthotic and will run with this in the participants normal running shoes. Participants in the control group will not be provided with the Orthotic and will run in the participants regular running shoes.

All participants (in both groups) will be asked to provide data following each run and also once a week regarding any injury sustained in the preceding 7 days. The minimum required data set will comprise of the personal details and consent on initial enrolment, ongoing consent and data from at least 10 runs (there are 5 individual pieces of information from each run - the date of the run, the distance, the time taken, whether an Orthotic was used or not and the comfort during the run), and injury data every week during the 8 week study period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years and over.
• Used to running at least 5kms in the last 1 year.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are currently using a prescription orthotic.
• Have any ongoing pain or deformity in the foot.
• Have been advised by a doctor to not exercise due to a serious health condition.
• Have undergone any surgery in the last 6 months.
• Have undergone any surgery on the foot during lifetime.

At the end of the study, data will be fully anonymised. Only non-identifiable, anonymised data will be archived along with the publication for use of other researchers. For instance, the age, sex, and study results of participants will be archived indefinitely as a supplementary document to the publication.

The data will become available at the completion of the study on 31/12/2022. It will be available for other researchers indefinitely.

The non-identifiable data will be openly available as a supplementary document to the publication.