Kazunori Okamura1, Shusaku Kanai2, Kengo Fukuda3, Satoshi Tanaka2, Takeya Ono2, Sadaaki Oki2. 1. Graduate School of Comprehensive Scientific Research, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Mihara-shi, Hiroshima 723-0053, Japan; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Mihara-shi, Hiroshima 723-0053, Japan. Electronic address: k-okamura@pu-hiroshima.ac.jp. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, 1-1 Gakuen-cho, Mihara-shi, Hiroshima 723-0053, Japan. 3. Department of Rehabilitation, Innoshima Ishikai Hospital, 1962 Innoshima nakanosyo-cho, Onomichi-shi, Hiroshima 722-2211, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:Strengthening exercises of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) are often prescribed to flat-footed subjects because of the capacity of the PIFMs to support the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). However, it is unclear whether the capacity of the PIFMs to support the MLA is enough to change the foot kinematics in flat-footed subjects. To confirm this, the current study examined changes in foot kinematics in flat-footed subjects during standing and gait accompanied by changes in the activity of the PIFMs. METHODS:Eighteen flat-footed subjects were randomly assigned to an electrical stimulation group (ESG) or a control group (CG). In the ESG, electrical stimulation to the PIFMs was applied during standing and gait to simulate reinforcement of the PIFMs. Then, foot kinematics were measured using 3D motion analysis, and the amount of change from baseline (when no electrical stimulation was applied) was compared between the groups. RESULTS: In the gait analysis, the time at which the MLA height reached its minimum value was significantly later in the ESG, with no reduction in the MLA height at that time. Moreover, forefoot inversion angle and tibial external rotation angle were significantly increased in the ESG at that time. In the standing analysis, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that in flat-footed subjects, the PIFMs have the capacity to support the MLA enough to change foot kinematics during gait. Strengthening these muscles may be effective in preventing or treating lower extremity overuse injuries related to flat-foot alignment.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Strengthening exercises of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) are often prescribed to flat-footed subjects because of the capacity of the PIFMs to support the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). However, it is unclear whether the capacity of the PIFMs to support the MLA is enough to change the foot kinematics in flat-footed subjects. To confirm this, the current study examined changes in foot kinematics in flat-footed subjects during standing and gait accompanied by changes in the activity of the PIFMs. METHODS: Eighteen flat-footed subjects were randomly assigned to an electrical stimulation group (ESG) or a control group (CG). In the ESG, electrical stimulation to the PIFMs was applied during standing and gait to simulate reinforcement of the PIFMs. Then, foot kinematics were measured using 3D motion analysis, and the amount of change from baseline (when no electrical stimulation was applied) was compared between the groups. RESULTS: In the gait analysis, the time at which the MLA height reached its minimum value was significantly later in the ESG, with no reduction in the MLA height at that time. Moreover, forefoot inversion angle and tibial external rotation angle were significantly increased in the ESG at that time. In the standing analysis, there were no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results revealed that in flat-footed subjects, the PIFMs have the capacity to support the MLA enough to change foot kinematics during gait. Strengthening these muscles may be effective in preventing or treating lower extremity overuse injuries related to flat-foot alignment.
Authors: Seyed Hamed Mousavi; Laurens van Kouwenhove; Reza Rajabi; Johannes Zwerver; Juha M Hijmans Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-02-10 Impact factor: 3.240