Why VKs are Legal Across All Sports Leagues

In the competitive sports arena, performance-enhancing products are a hotly debated topic governed by stringent regulations designed to maintain fair play, protect athlete health and safety, and uphold the sport's integrity and reputation. VKTRY Insoles not only enhance performance within these parameters, but they also advance the mission of these stringent regulations. This article explains why VKs are legal and have not been banned by any sports leagues as well as the science behind their effectiveness.

“Performance and biomechanical data were measured during both vertical jump and sprint testing. The improvement in performance with the VKTRY Insole is statistically significant in all biomechanical variables tested.”

– Dr. Robert W. Gregory, PhD, Professor at Southern Connecticut State University, the Human Performance Lab

One of the main reasons that products and substances are banned in sports is to maintain fair competition. For example, anabolic steroids are prohibited because they introduce synthetic hormones that artificially boost muscle growth. This results in an unfair advantage because it creates new capabilities in athletes–mainly, athletes taking anabolic steroids are able to increase their muscle strength at an abnormally fast rate. VKTRY Insoles, however, do not create any new capabilities in athletes; they optimize the energy athletes already create by returning more of it back to them.

When an athlete plants their foot to run or jump, they create potential energy. However, much of this energy is lost and dispersed into the ground. The effect of this lost energy is that the athlete is not able to jump as high, or run as fast, as they could have if they were able to retain some of that energy.  VKTRY Insoles are designed to store some of this otherwise lost energy, and then return it to the athlete, which can result in a higher vertical jump height and faster sprint speed. 

Let’s break it down–every pair of VKTRY Insoles is customized, meaning that the size and stiffness of the carbon fiber baseplate are determined by the athlete’s weight, shoe size, and sport. The contour of VKTRY Insoles conforms to the foot’s natural arch, only making contact with the ground at the toe and heel–they contact at the heel to absorb shock and at the toe to propel the athlete forward or upward.This unique shape coupled with the customized carbon fiber baseplate allows the VK to store potential energy (like a spring), that would otherwise be lost and dispersed into the ground. As the athlete plants their foot, and then raises their heel, the VK stores the otherwise lost potential energy. Then, as the athlete’s foot propels off the ground, the insole swiftly snaps back to its original shape, converting that stored potential energy into kinetic energy. This results in an increased ground force, meaning that the athlete puts a higher amount of force into the ground, causing a propulsive effect that helps the athlete increase vertical jump height as well as sprint speed. Top of Form

On average, VKTRY athletes see a +1.6-inch increase in their vertical jumps and a 0.12-second improvement in their 40-yard dash times. This efficiency does not constitute an unfair advantage. It simply allows athletes to better utilize the energy they have worked so hard to generate. VKTRY Insoles do not create energy, they reduce lost energy. VKs help athletes more efficiently store and return the energy they themselves generate.

“VKTRY Insoles are impactful in the reduction of injuries and in the improvement of athletic performance. VKs are truly the only insole I have ever seen bridge both fields!”

– Mike Barwis, Head of Sports Science & Human Performance for the NY Mets & Detroit Red Wings

Another major reason for banning certain substances and products is to protect athlete health and safety. For example, substances like stimulants and specific performance-enhancing drugs are banned because they pose significant health risks, including cardiovascular issues and long-term organ damage. In contrast, VKTRY Insoles enhance athlete safety and well-being as they are proven to protect against common foot and lower-leg injuries.

On average, VKTRY athletes experience 41% fewer foot and lower-leg injuries. VKTRY Insoles are specifically designed to provide better shock absorption and energy return, reducing stress on the athlete’s body and lowering the risk of injury. Banning a product that is proven to reduce injury rates, such as VKTRY Insoles, would be counterproductive to the goal of sports leagues to keep athletes healthy and safe.

“After an extensive 6-month research study by the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut, it is clear that VKTRY Insoles improve lower body biomechanics, stability of the ankle and knee during running, and shock absorption during landing. These improvements can help safeguard athletes by providing injury protection.”

– Dr. Douglas Casa, PhD, ATC, Professor of Kinesiology, CEO of KSI

The integrity and reputation of sports can be compromised by substances and products that are not readily available to all athletes. For example, certain expensive and hard-to-obtain doping agents are banned because they create inequalities among competitors. For example, substances like EPO (erythropoietin), which enhances endurance by increasing red blood cell production, is not easily accessible to all athletes because it requires a prescription to get and is extremely expensive. VKTRY Insoles, on the other hand, are widely accessible to athletes at all levels, from amateur to professional–any athlete can buy them on our website at any time. By being readily available, VKTRY Insoles maintains the integrity of the sport, ensuring that all athletes have the opportunity to use them and experience their performance and safety benefits.

“VKs represent a quantum leap in the world of performance insoles providing many of the benefits of custom-made orthotics in an over-the-counter device. For the first time, athletes can experience stabilization, shock absorption, and propulsion in a device that is specifically tailored to their size and weight. This is a game changer.”

– Dr. Jamie Creps, PT, DScPT, OCS, CMPT, Senior Physical Therapist, Boston Red Sox

VKTRY Insoles are legal across all sports because they align with the primary goals of athletic leagues. They also help athletes get the most out of their hard work and dedication, making them a valuable tool in the world of competitive sports.