This randomized controlled trial aims to explore the effect of a foot strengthening protocol on toe flexion strength, foot deformation and morphology as well as kinetics during sprinting, cutting and jumping in healthy athletes (18-40 completed years). The study consists of a 4 weeks control period, followed by 8 weeks intervention period and 4 weeks follow up
During the first period participants are unaware of their allocation, while in the intervention period they will be allocated to a train intervention or a control group (habits maintenance). The primary outcome is the toes maximal voluntary isometric plantarflexion. The treatment effectiveness estimand is the same as in a pretest-posttest case control study, considering the end of the control period as pre-point. An estimation of the individual variability in response to the treatment will be provided.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
This interventional group will perform the foot strengthening protocol (PRP) with physical tests as : * Maximum muscle strength of the foot * Foot muscle morphology
The control group will not perform the foot strengthening protocol and will continue with all their daily activities with no change in lifestyle.
CHU de Saint-Etienne
Saint-Etienne, France
maximal isometric joint flexion muscle strength MTP (in N)
It will be measured using an ergometer composed of a 3-dimensional force sensor (Nano 25, ATI Industrial Automation, Garner, NC) during the 3 periods of the randomized controlled trial (control, intervention and follow-up) and repeatedly each week during the intervention protocol.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
Foot deformity
It's a composite outcome : Foot deformity will be assessed with the help of the system (Arch Height Index Measurement System, JAKTOOL Corporation, Cranberry, NJ) measuring the following variables (in cm): height of the navicular, total length of the foot, truncated length of the foot, width of the medial foot and height of the dorsal arch when the participant is sitting and then when standing on one foot.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
Foot posture
Foot posture will be measured using the Foot Posture Index (FPI-6).
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
Morphology of the foot muscles
The morphology of the foot muscles will be evaluated by measuring with the AixPlorer Ultrasonic scanner, version 6.1.1; Supersonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
general stiffness of the foot-ankle complex
The general stiffness of the foot-ankle complex will be evaluated using an optical measurement system (Optojump Next, Microgate, Bolzano, 113 Italy) during 6 maximal jumps with knees stretched.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
propulsion impulse during sprinting
The propulsion impulse during sprinting will be evaluated using 6 force platforms embedded in the ground (Kistler, Winterhur, Switzerland) allowing to collect kinetic parameters of forces in the 3 dimensions of space at a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz.
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
propulsion impulse during jumps
The propulsion impulse during jumps will be evaluated using 2 force platforms embedded in the ground under each foot (Kistler, Winterhur, Switzerland) to collect kinetic force parameters in all 3 spatial dimensions during vertical and horizontal jumps at a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18
propulsion impulse during direction changes
The propulsion impulse during direction changes will be evaluated using a ground embedded force platform (Kistler, Winterhur, Switzerland) to collect force kinetic parameters in all 3 spatial dimensions during 90° direction changes at a sampling rate of 2000 Hz.
Time frame: Change from baseline to Week 18