[Effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscular activity among young healthy females]

The reduction of shoe heel height can increase abdominal muscles activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low shoe heel height on the trunk muscle activity in young healthy females. In this quasi- experimental [Pre-post] study, 48 healthy females were evaluated at University of social welfare and rehabilitation at 2009-2010. Females were selected in a non probability sampling manner and divided randomly into two groups. Subjects in the first group [12 females] were used low heel height shoes[less than 3.4 cm] for six months. The second group [12 female] was used standard heel shoes height [3.5-5 cm] for six months. After the end of the first step of study, females in first group were used standard heel shoes height [3.5-5 cm] for six months. The Kinsiologic Electromyography instrument was used to test the Electromyography magnitude of rectus abdominal and external oblique activity. Data was analyzed with Paired and independent T student and Kolmogorrov-Smirnov tests. Muscle activity in first and second groups at external oblique was 9.72 +/- 3.15 microvolt and 7.87 +/- 2.47 microvolt and at rectus abdominal was 11.60 +/- 3.58 microvolt and 9.81 +/- 3.46 microvolt respectively. Muscle activity before and after using standard shoe heel height was significant [p<0.05]. It seems that using lower heel shoes height increase the trunk muscle activity

[ comparative study between the effect of functional foot orthosis and modified orthosis on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis]

Plantar fascia inflammation will result in plantar fasciitis. Nonsurgical treatments include the use of orthoses and physical therapy technics. The goal of this study was a comparative between the effect of functional foot orthosis and modified foot orthosis on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis. In this experimental study, 30 patients with plantar fasciitis including 7 male and 23 female with ranging age 25-45 yrs old [34 +/- 4.64, 35 +/- 5.02] selected by non probability sampling. Patients randomly allocated in two groups with 15 patients in each group. First group used functional foot orthosis and second group used modified foot orthosis. FAOS questionnaire was used for evaluating the pain. 2 stages included: once before intervention and the second stage after 4 weeks after intervention. Data analysis has been done with paired and independent T-Test, Smironov-Kolomogrov by SPSS13. Paired T-Test showed the difference between before and after intervention stages in group with functional foot orthosis was 0.001 and in group with modified foot orthosis was 0.229. Independent T-Test showed the difference between two groups after intervention was significant [p<0.05]. According to finding of this study, functional foot orthosis was more effective on improvement of pain in patients with plantar fasciitis