Through a series of five articles (How Two Decades of Out-Of-Shoe Pressure Analysis Led Me to XSENSOR Technology), industry-leading podiatrist Tim Bransdon will explore and provide insights into what led him to XSENSOR Technology’s Intelligent Insoles, and how the in-shoe analysis is influencing his assessment and treatment strategies for patients, and what XSENSOR means to his podiatry clinic (Wollongong Podiatry) and running programs (The Running Lab). Follow along to learn and understand more about Tim’s experience and process implementing and using the Intelligent Insoles on The XSENSOR Blog.

Read Part 2 and Part 3 to catch up on Tim's adventure.

How Two Decades of Out-Of-Shoe Pressure Analysis Led Me to XSENSOR Technology (Part 1): Why I Need In-Shoe Pressure Analysis

Force plate gait analysis has been an integral part of my podiatry work for the past 18 years. My 3.2 metre force plate, integrated with video camera and analytical software, provides detailed walking gait assessment in my clinic. This is a tool my podiatry team uses every day. However, there has always been a nagging issue with this setup… “What is happening inside the shoe?”

My podiatry work centers on foot and ankle strength and conditioning. I have built an assessment and treatment system called StrongFeet^™ which focuses on restoring balance and coordination to the 33 joints in each foot, arch strength, and dynamic spring from feet through legs.

For every new patient I consult with, I perform a barefoot force plate and video gait analysis. I assess raw foot mechanics in action, without artificial influence from shoes or orthotics. I aim to identify the current functional capacity of the feet I am working with.

Gait analysis, coupled with global stability and big toe functional testing, gives me a good indication of what is working well, and what needs improving, with feet and ankles when standing and walking. This provides a sound baseline for retesting after appropriate intervention and StrongFeet-based exercises.

But… What if all the StrongFeet hard work performed by my patient is being negatively influenced by the shoes and/or orthotics they wear to work, or when exercising? I have spent 20 years advising what shoe someone needs, as well as making orthotics to improve individual foot function, but I really have not had an objective way to assess if a shoe or orthotic is positively influencing foot function when walking or running.

This is what in-shoe pressure analysis always had the potential to solve. Over the years I have kept an eye on in-shoe pressure analysis systems. Unfortunately, progress in this space was always underwhelming… Until I came across a new name in the market, XSENSOR.

Read Part 2 in the series, “Why I Chose XSENSOR Technology for In-Shoe Pressure Analysis”.

About the Author, Tim Bransdon:

Tim Bransdon is a podiatrist based in Wollongong, Australia. He is an industry leader in the field of strength and conditioning for feet, as well as running mechanics and has two decades of experience using force plate pressure analysis for walking gait, testing strength, and power output. Tim is excited to share his experience in adding a new frontier to his podiatry practice and running work with XSENSOR Technology’s Intelligent Insoles.