Morphological and Functional Effects of a Foot Strengthening Protocol

Summary

The principal aim of this study is to investigate the effects of a four-week foot strenghtening protocol combining active voluntary exercises and assisted-active voluntary exercises by neuromuscular electrical stimulation on hallux toe flexion strength in comparison to a standard foot strengthening protocol in a healthy adult recreational active population.

The secondary objectives of the study are to investigate the effects of this protocol on lesser toes flexor strength, foot morphology deformation in one, two and three dimensions and kinetic parameters when walking and running.

Conditions

• Foot Strength Deficit

Interventions

PROCEDURE

La Tour Hospital Foot Strengthening Protocol

First exercise : "NMES forward lean doming". Doming exercise assisted by NMES placed on the IFM. 8 sec of contraction (6 sec rest) moving the trunk forward. 12 repetitions, 3 sets. Progressive increase of the intensity of NEMS during 4 weeks and increase of body load while decreasing the number of repetitions. Second exercise : "MTP joint flexion". Isometric MTP joint flexion contractions. 4 contractions of 5 sec (10 sec rest), 3 sets. Progressive increase of the number of MVIC during 4 weeks and of increase body load while keeping the same intensity. Third exercise : "Foot-ankle rebound". Multiple jumps with only plantar flexion. Keeping the knee stiff and straight and pushing off the ground with only ankle and MTP plantar flexion by a forefoot contact with the ground. 10 seconds of jump (1 min of rest) during 5 sets. Progressive increase of body load while keeping the same intensity.

PROCEDURE

Standard Literature Foot Strengthening Protocol

During the 1st week, the participants will perform the "Short foot exercise" (SFE) during 3 series of 10 repetitions of 5 seconds of contractions in sitting position. 1 minute of rest will be give between series. During the 2nd week, the participants will perform the SFE during 3 series of 15 repetitions of 5 seconds of contractions in sitting position. 1 minute of rest will be give between series. During the 3rd week, the participants will perform the SFE during 3 series of 15 repetitions of 5 seconds of contractions in standing bipedal position. 1 minute of rest will be give between series. During the 4th week, the participants will perform the SFE during 3 series of 15 repetitions of 5 seconds of contractions in standing unipedal position. 1 minute of rest will be give between series. The progression of the exercise during the protocol will be based on passing from a sitting position to a unipedal standing position.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• François Fourchet

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• François Fourchet, PhD · La Tour Hospital, Human Motion Lab

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

50 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-01-03

Primary Completion

2022-02-11

Completion

2022-02-11

Countries

• Switzerland

Study Locations