Problem

Our rider has a collapsed left foot. He suffers severe hot spots under ball of his foot after 4+ hours of riding

Left Foot

Left Foot Seated (Figure 1) Left Foot Standing (Figure 2) Standing Figure (3)

Foot Analysis – left foot

From the seated position to the standing there is a definite lowering and elongation of the arch under load.

Figure 2 confirms this and the angle of the left tibia suggests biomechanical misalignment further up the kinetic chain.

Solution

In order to address this we need to support the arch* to allow for adequate pronation but not so much as to inhibit it altogether.

Adding support as far forward as comfort allows will lift the metatarsals and address both the excessive pronation and the hot spot issue.

Supporting closer to the mid foot will allow dispersion of energy over a greater area and should add to both power efficiency and increase blood flow.

We would recommend a lower arch piece than in this picture for two reasons.

Firstly, we want to allow the foot to pronate and avoid limiting this movement completely.

Secondly, a lower arch piece will be able to position slightly more forward lifting the metatarsal heads, providing support and increasing blood flow.

Lateral movements of the arch piece will be governed by comfort.

Right Foot

Right Foot Seated (Fig. 4) Right Foot Standing (Fig. 5) Rear Standing (Fig. 6)

Foot Analysis – right foot

Arch reduces and foot elongates under load. Fig 6 suggests natural pronation with mild collapsing of metatarsal heads and limited biomechanical alignment issues.

Solution

Aim is the same as the left foot in terms of promoting blood flow with a forward positioned arch piece.

Using this picture as a base, we suggest a lower arch piece than used here and positioned as far forward as comfort allows.

The arch piece should not feel intrusive and any lateral position changes will be governed by comfort.

*We measure the arch from the 1st metatarsal toward the rear. Where the mid foot is touching the ground and it begins to rise, this height and the gradient with which it rises is where we are adding support. This is the area involved with energy expulsion and is directly over the cycle cleat.

Disclaimer

The above recommendations are a guide only. If you experience pain or discomfort during the use of the ARCHTECH™ 2600 Pro (now G8 Performance Pro Series 2620) cease using immediately and allow at least 7 days before next use. If pain and discomfort persist please discontinue use.