A Randomized Control Trial Studying the Effects of Terrain Variation on Intrinsic Foot Musculature in Healthy Individuals and Individuals With Plantar Fasciitis:
University of Florida
Summary
Modern footwear has been implicated as a contributor to foot pathology and changes in the biomechanics of gait. In addition to footwear, the investigators propose that the lack of terrain variation may directly contribute to the development of common foot pathologies, resulting from decreased intrinsic foot muscle function. This study will examine the current understanding of terrain variation on foot musculature strength and its possible correlation with structural and functional changes within the foot.
Description
The Human foot is one or the most complicated structures in the conveyance of normal gait, with its 26 bones, 33 articulations, 19 individual intrinsic muscles and direct contribution from all of the lower leg musculature. It also contains a complexity of ligamentous structures that not only act as stabilizers, but also store and release energy in a spring like fashion (Ker 1987). This group of anatomical structures is modulated by a complex system of mechanoreceptors that allow for adaptation to a multitude of varying terrain, while maintaining stability and control. (Franklin 2018) Thus the…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–100 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria for Group A: * Patients presenting to the University of Florida Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute with pain on the plantar medial or central heel for greater than 60 days with the following features * Pain upon palpation, or insidious pain onset * Pain accentuated after long periods of weight bearing activities or after periods of rest * A reduction in pain following light activities (McPoil et al., 2008) * Failure to respond to treatment modalities for 6 months, including plantar fascia and muscle stretching, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, supportive i…
Interventions
- OtherTreatment Cohort
Subjects will walk on a specified University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory's (NATL) nature trail for approximately 30 minutes, three times per week for 8 weeks while wearing the minimalist shoes provided by the study team. Time, distance, and GPS walking route will be recorded utilizing the MapMyRun smartphone application, which is free to download and easy to use. The study team will assist each subject with downloading the application onto their smartphone and provide a brief training on app use at their pre-trial visit. Subjects will be asked to save each training session within the app to report to the study team upon completion of the 8-week training protocol. Subjects will be instructed to walk at a comfortable pace and to stop if they begin experiencing increased pain or discomfort.
- OtherControl Cohort
Subjects will walk on hardscapes (e.g. sidewalk, asphalt, track, etc) for approximately 30 minutes, three times per week for 8 weeks while wearing the minimalist shoes provided by the study team. Similarly to the treatment group, subjects will be asked to utilize the MapMyRun smartphone application to record their training sessions. Subjects will be instructed to walk at a comfortable pace and to stop if they begin experiencing increased pain or discomfort.
Location
- UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine InstituteGainesville, Florida