Ian Griffiths: Evidence Over Hype, the Mechanics of Orthoses and the Evolution of Sports Podiatry

How do you balance a globally respected clinical practice with cutting-edge academic research? For Ian Griffiths—a Fellow of both the Royal College of Podiatry and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, and a lecturer in sports medicine at Queen Mary University of London—the answer lies in a relentless pursuit of evidence over hype. Backed by decades of elite sport experience, including working inside the London 2012 Olympics Athletes' Village, Ian brings a rigorously evidence-based yet deeply human approach to lower limb sports medicine. Our hosts, Pat, John, and Harriet, sit down with Ian for a wonderfully candid conversation that challenges some of the most deeply entrenched beliefs in the podiatry profession. Together, they strip back the glamour of high-tech clinical tools to explore why critical appraisal must always steer contemporary practice over passing trends. In this episode, we dive into: • The Reality of Sports Podiatry: Why sports podiatry belongs to anyone adopting a serious, data-driven approach to their training—from Premier League footballers to driven parkrun enthusiasts. • Academic Fighting & Plantar Heel Pain: Inside Ian's high-profile "letter to the editor" response to the JOSPT guidelines, critiquing the overvaluation of resistance training and the complete omission of shockwave therapy. • How Orthoses Actually Work: A refreshingly honest look at orthotic mechanisms. Ian breaks down the four overarching umbrella categories—kinematic, kinetic, neuromotor, and psychological—while embracing the nuance of what we still don't know. • The Physics of Rearfoot Posting: Insights from Ian's collaborative lab research measuring shell stiffness. Discover why modifying the rearfoot post alters midfoot compliance, regardless of whether you're using 3D-printed nylon or traditional polypropylene. • Dismantling Population Shoe Logic: Why big data shows that matching footwear to foot posture fails to prevent injuries, and how clinicians can shift toward nuanced, pathology-specific prescribing instead. • Overrated vs. Underrated: Ian steps up as the first-ever participant in this rapid-fire segment, delivering unfiltered takes on "overpronation" as a diagnosis, foot intrinsic strengthening, maximalist stack heights, and why UK conference coffee is deeply tragic. Whether you're a student trying to make sense of conflicting biomechanical frameworks, a clinician looking to shield your practice from social media misinformation, or simply a footwear geek curious about the true physics inside your shoes, this episode serves as an essential masterclass in keeping your clinical reasoning sharper than your kit. Connect with our guest: • Ian Griffiths: Connect with Ian on Instagram @sportspodiatryinfo (  / sportspodiatryinfo  ) and view her ongoing academic work via ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/...) . Join the SEPA Community (https://www.sepa.org.au/you/become-a-...) Enjoyed this conversation and want to elevate your career in sports and exercise podiatry? Join SEPA and become a member today. (https://www.sepa.org.au/you/become-a-...) www.sepa.org.au (https://www.sepa.org.au)