ORTHOSES FOR ATHLETIC OVERUSE INJURIES - COMPARISON OF 2-COMPONENT MATERIALS

Forty recreational and professional athletes were followed in this pro spective study comparing the acceptability and effectiveness of two or thotic component materials commonly used in sports medicine. TL-2100 S F(R)(1) (semiflexible) was compared to 4.0-mm thick polypropylene in s ix different subjective categories. The subjects were able to perceive a significant difference in favor of TL-2100 SF in the categories of weight, resilience and springiness, and overall comfort of the orthosi s. The subjects were also able to perceive physical differences betwee n these two component materials, which had previously been confirmed i n laboratory studies.