Morphological and Functional Effects of a Foot Strengthening Protocol

Effects of a Foot Strengthening Protocol on Foot Strength, Foot Morphological Deformation and Kinetics Parameters : a Monocentric Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Level of weekly physical activity (recreational activity and regular non-competitive runners : at least 1 running session per week)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of pain or episodes of foot or ankle sprains during the past 6 months;
• Foot or leg fractures during the past year;
• Severe deformity of the foot or leg;
• Self-declared disability due to neuromuscular impairment of the lower limbs;
• Neurological or vestibular deficit that could hinder balance (diabetes mellitus, radiculopathie lumbosacral, soft tissue disorder such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) ;
• Any absolute contraindication to neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) (cardiac pacemaker, epileptic disorders, pregnancy defibrillator);
• Participation in an exercise program specifically designed to strengthen the ankle or foot during the last 6 months