The main objective of this trial is to investigate the effects of a training protocol for the foot and ankle complex on the prevalence of running related injuries on long distance runners.
Using a web software as a follow up tool, subjects can be scanned for injuries and have them confirmed by a physician, determining the injuries prevalence in one year. Through force platform and infrared cameras, the kinematics and kinetics during gait will allow assessment of joint moments, power during propulsion, ankle and knee range of motion. The hypothesis is that a strengthening program for foot and ankle muscles can alter the prevalence of lower limbs injuries on long distance runners, lowering the harmful forces that these segments receive. The participants will be randomly assigned into control group (placebo intervention) or into intervention group, that will receive an 8 weeks strengthening intervention, twice a week with the supervision of a physiotherapist and three times a week being remotely supervised by a software at home, for 30 minutes each session. This will aim for increasing foot and ankle range of movement and muscle strength. Every exercise has its own progression depending on the subjects execution, increasing in intensity and difficulty.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
118
Group will be trained during 2 months at the university by a physiotherapist and at home with a training software for foot and ankle strengthening.
Universidade de São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
Number of Participants With Running Related Lower Limb Injuries
Diagnosed running related lower limb injuries in recreational runners within 12 months of the study
Time frame: 1 year
Time to the First Injury
How long it takes to a diagnosed running related lower limb injuries to occur
Time frame: 12 months
Toes and Hallux Muscle Strength
Outcome measure under the hallux summed to toes while the subject is pressing their toes against a pressure sensor platform (sum of toes and hallux strength)
Time frame: 2 months
Foot Muscles Hypertrophy (Volume)
Intrinsic foot muscles volume measured by MRI
Time frame: 2 months
Foot Health and Functionality
Score of the Foot Health Status questionnaire - Brazilian version (domains: function and general foor health) - Scale of FHSQ (0-100 max, the higher the better)
Time frame: 2 months
Foot and Ankle Running Kinematics
medial longitudinal arch range of motion during barefoot running on a treadmill
Time frame: 2 months
Ground Reaction Forces During Running
Breaking forces (negative values as it is a decceleration force), vertical peak forces (positive values) measured on a force platform during subject's runnning
Time frame: 2 months
Foot Inversion During Running
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Shank to calcaneous inversion angle during barefoot running on a treadmill
Time frame: 2 months
Foot Eversion During Running
Shank to calcaneous eversion angle during barefoot running on a treadmill
Time frame: 2 months
Vertical Loading Rate Force During Running
Vertical loading rate measured on a force platform during subject's runnning
Time frame: 2 months