Pressure and Traction Technique Improves Postural Control More Than Tactile Stimulation in Foot Plantar Fascia: A Randomized Single-Blind Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To check the acute effects of manual pressure and traction technique on balance and plantar footprint variables. DESIGN: A single-blind clinical study with 2 groups. SETTING: Private practice. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy participants (N=40; 28 female and 12 male) were recruited to carry out a single-blind study. INTERVENTIONS: Experimental group performed a bilateral plantar fascia manual pressure and traction technique. Control group performed a tactile stimulation. The position of the participant, the therapist, and the time of application of the techniques (5min) were the same for both interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured stabilometry variables and static footprint. The footprint variables were divided in rear, middle, and front foot areas. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in stabilometry variables. There was an improvement in experimental group at X displacement with eyes open (P=.014) and surface eyes closed (P=.046) variables. CONCLUSIONS: After technique the experimental group improved the stabilometry variables, specifically surface with eyes closed and X displacement with eyes open. The static footprint variables have not shown differences after the technique compared with the control group.

Acute effects of myofascial induction technique in plantar fascia complex in patients with myofascial pain syndrome on postural sway and plantar pressures: A quasi-experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of myofascial pain syndrome varies from 21% 93%. Several studies have shown that myofascial induction is effective in treating myofascial pain syndrome. Although these techniques have shown some effectiveness in clinical practice, there have been little study into their effects, and have deep effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the application of a single myofascial induction technique for each foot, targeted to the plantar fascia resulted in changes in balance and footprint variables. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study. SETTING: An outpatient clinic. SUBJECTS: 20 healthy participants (12 females and 8 males) were evaluated pre and post Myofascial induction technique for each foot in plantar fascia during 5 min. METHODS: We measured static footprint and stabilometry variables in asymptomatic subjects. The footprint surface area was divided: bilateral rear foot, bilateral midfoot, bilateral fore foot. RESULTS: We found differences in the footprint variables: maximun pressure in forefoot (p = 0.025), surface in forefoot (p = 0.03). The myofascial induction has no effects on stabilometry variables. CONCLUSIONS: The immediate effects of the longitudinal technique of myofascial induction of the plantar fascia are the increase of surface and maximum pressure in fore foot.

Immediate Effects of Intermittent Bilateral Ankle Plantar Flexors Static Stretching on Balance and Plantar Pressures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the immediate effects of an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol on balance and plantar pressures. METHODS: The study included a sample size of 24 healthy participants (21 female and 3 male). Participants were 32.20 ± 8.08 years, 166.20 ± 8.43 cm, and 62.77 ± 9.52 kg. All participants performed an intermittent plantar flexion static-stretching protocol. Five sets (60 seconds intermittent stretch; 15 seconds for the rest time) of a passive plantar flexor stretching (70% to 90% of the point of discomfort) were performed. Static footprint analysis and a stabilometry analysis were performed before and after stretching. A P value < .05 with a CI of 95% was considered statistically significant for all tests. RESULTS: Intermittent ankle plantar static stretching resulted in a significantly greater forefoot surface contact area and lower rear foot medium and maximum plantar pressures. In addition, static stretching caused a lower displacement of the center of pressure for both eyes open and eyes closed conditions. CONCLUSION: An intermittent plantar flexor static-stretching protocol improved balance and reduced rear foot plantar pressures (maximum and medium pressures).

Acute Effects of Intermittent Versus Continuous Bilateral Ankle Plantar Flexor Static Stretching on Postural Sway and Plantar Pressures: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postural balance and fall efficacy (self-perceived confidence in performing daily physical activities) have been found to be risk factors associated with falls in older adults. Stretching is one intervention that has been investigated to improve balance and therefore reduce fall risk. Various forms of stretching have been evaluated with different outcomes, but there is a lack of knowledge about the effect of stretching (continuous and intermittent) on plantar pressures and balance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of stretching (continuous and intermittent) of the bilateral ankle plantar flexors on plantar pressures and static balance. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was carried out. Forty-eight healthy subjects (42 females and 6 males) were recruited in an outpatient clinic. Subjects were randomly assigned to an intermittent stretching group (five sets of 1 min; 15 s of rest) or a continuous stretching group (2 min of continuous stretching) of the plantar flexors. Plantar pressures and balance using stabilometry were measured before and after stretching. RESULTS: There were significant differences between intermittent and continuous stretching in rearfoot maximum pressure, forefoot surface area, and center of pressure surface area with eyes open. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral intermittent stretching of the ankle plantar flexors was found to be more effective than continuous stretching for the reduction of rearfoot maximum pressure and improved balance.

Estudios experimentales de la biomecánica de la marcha durante el embarazo: revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos. (2000-2018) / Experimental studies of gait biomechanics during pregnancy: Systematic review of clinical trials. (2000-2018)

Background: El embarazo es un momento en la vida de la mujer cuyos cambios fisiológicos, hormonales, y morfológicos generan grandes cambios corporales. Estos cambios se producen en un periodo de tiempo muy corto y provocan una pérdida de estabilidad y de cambios cinemáticos y cinéticos en su marcha que generan caídas y molestias musculoesqueléticas en el miembro inferior y pie. Métodos: Se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura científica para identificar los posibles estudios científicos sobre la marcha y embarazo. Se han consultado los principales buscadores y bases de datos biomédicas: Medline-pubmed, Enfispo, Scielo y Science Direct(R). El periodo de búsqueda estuvo comprendido febrero-junio de 2018. Resultados: En nuestra búsqueda hallamos 912 resúmenes de artículos con las palabras clave seleccionadas. 892 artículos de los anteriormente mencionados fueron excluidos tras leerlos por no cumplir los criterios de selección del estudio. Por lo tanto, obtuvimos 20 relevantes. Conclusión: Existen estudios experimentales que evidencian cambios en la cinemática, cinética de la marcha del tronco, pelvis, miembro inferior y pie en el embarazo y postparto

Background: Pregnancy is a moment in a woman's life whose physiological, hormonal, and morphological changes generate great bodily changes. These changes occur in a very short period of time and cause a loss of stability and a series of kinematic and kinetic changes in their gait that cause falls and musculoskeletal discomfort in the lower limb and foot. Methods: A review of the scientific literature has been carried out to identify possible scientific studies on gait and pregnancy. The main biomedical search engines and databases were consulted: Medline-Pubmed, Enfispo, Scielo and Science Direct®. The search period was comprised February-June 2018. Results: In our search we found 912 summaries of articles with the selected keywords. 892 articles of the aforementioned were excluded after reading them because they did not meet the selection criteria of the study. Therefore, we obtained 20 relevant. Conclusion: There are experimental studies that show changes in the kinematics, kinetics of the trunk, pelvis, lower limb and foot in pregnancy and postpartum