Indiana University
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether different foot-strengthening strategies can improve foot strength, balance, walking ability, and fall-related outcomes in middle-aged and older adults (ages 45-85 years). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does foot strength change from baseline after an 8-week foot-strengthening intervention? * Do balance, gait, and physical function improve following different foot-strengthening approaches? Researchers will compare minimalist footwear use, a foot exercise program, a foot-strengthening device (ToePro), and no intervention to see if these interventions lead to greater improvements in foot strength, balance, gait, and fall-related outcomes than no intervention. Participants will: * Complete baseline and post-intervention laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait * Perform foot strengthening exercises or wear minimalist footwear (if applicable) five days/week for eight weeks * Complete daily logs to record intervention compliance
This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of multiple foot-strengthening interventions on foot strength, balance, gait, and fall-related outcomes in older adults. Participants are recruited using a unified screening process and randomized to one of several intervention arms across two coordinated protocols. Interventions include habitual use of minimalist footwear, a prescribed foot exercise program, use of a commercially available foot-strengthening device (ToePro), or a no-intervention control condition. All participants complete two in-laboratory data collection sessions condu…
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy adults: 45 years of age or older * Able to walk without an assistive walking device or lower limb prosthesis for at least 6 minutes * No history of foot or ankle surgery * No history of regular minimalist footwear use * No foot or ankle issues for which study activities may be contraindicated * BMI \<= 40 Exclusion Criteria: * Deemed unfit for physical activity by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) * Current or history of an unresolved musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary/respiratory, metabolic, renal condition, disease, o…
Habitual use of low-cushion, low-structure footwear designed to increase intrinsic foot muscle engagement during daily activities.
Home-based exercises including toe flexion, toe press, and arch-control movements performed several times per week.
A dense foam exercise platform designed to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles through loaded toe press exercises in lengthened muscle positions.
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