Effects of Foot-Core Training on Foot-Ankle Kinematics and Running Kinetics in Runners: Secondary Outcomes From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of an 8-week foot-core exercise training program on foot-ankle kinematics during running and also on running kinetics (impact loads), with particular interest in biomechanical outcomes considered risk factors for running-related injuries in recreational runners. A single-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted with 87 recreational runners randomly allocated to either the control (CG) or intervention (IG) group and assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. The IG underwent foot-core training 3 times/week, while the CG followed a placebo lower-limb stretching protocol. The participants ran on a force-instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed while foot-segment motion was captured simultaneously with kinetic measurements. After the intervention, there were statistically significant changed in foot biomechanics, such as: IG participants strike the ground with a more inverted calcaneus and a less dorsiflexed midfoot than those in the CG; at midstance, ran with a less plantarflexed and more adducted forefoot and a more abducted hallux; and at push-off, ran with a less dorsiflexed midfoot and a less adducted and more dorsiflexed hallux. The IG runners also had significantly decreased medial longitudinal arch excursion (p = 0.024) and increased rearfoot inversion (p = 0.037). The 8-week foot-core exercise program had no effect on impact (p = 0.129) and breaking forces (p = 0.934) or on vertical loading rate (p = 0.537), but it was positively effective in changing foot-ankle kinematic patterns.”

Scoping Review of One-Dimension Statistical Parametric Mapping in Lower Limb Biomechanical Analysis

“…A total of 28 studies assessed running, 13 involving treadmill running and 15 surface running. Among these studies, ten focused on the effects of different shoes on running biomechanics, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] three studies examined specific physical interventions, [19][20][21] three studies assessed various gait modifications, [22][23][24] three evaluated foot biomechanics, [25][26][27] two explored the effects of fatigue, 28,29 and two investigated studies the effects of sex. 30,31 Additionally, single studies examined the effects of different surfaces, 32 hamstring flexibility, 33 pertubations, 34 running with different loads, 35 and the differences between transition running and isolated running in triathlon Table 1).…”

“…Additionally, one study evaluated the inter-individual and intra-individual variability during a squat (Table 4). 70 The median number of participants was 15 [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…Three studies assessed the quadriceps or hamstrings muscle force curve produced by an isokinetic machine; They examined the influence of fatigue 75 and sex 76 on force production, as well as the kinetics and kinematics of eccentric, quasi-isometric loading (Table 4). 77 The median number of participants was 17 [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

Running intralimb coordination patterns after a foot core exercise program in recreational runners

“…An 8-week foot core strengthening program for healthy recreational runners resulted in an increase in the intrinsic anatomical cross-sectional area of the foot muscle, an increase in the propulsive impulse during running ( 11 ), and a significant 2.42-fold reduction in RRI incidence at the 1-year follow-up compared with a placebo stretching program ( 14 ). Matias et al ( 19 ) showed that the foot core exercise program was also capable of changing the foot-ankle kinematic patterns. Individuals who received the intervention showed a more inverted calcaneus and less dorsiflexed midfoot at foot strike, a running pattern at midstance with a less plantar-flexed and more adducted forefoot and a more abducted hallux, and a less dorsiflexed midfoot and less adducted and more dorsiflexed hallux at push-off.…”

“…The classification of coordination patterns combines phase dominancy (in-phase or anti-phase) and segmental dominancy (distal or proximal) that highlights differences in the segment motion during the running cycle ( 27 ). Thus, our aim was to reanalyze data from Matias et al ( 19 ) to quantify the coordination pattern of the foot joints of recreational runners who underwent foot core muscle training using the vector coding technique. As the nature of the intervention emphasized the strengthening of the intrinsic muscles of the foot, we hypothesized that the intervention induces positive changes in the coordination patterns that reflect a different interaction of foot-ankle joint pairs during running stance phase.…”