Effect of kinesio taping on lower limb joint powers in individuals with genu varum

Effect of Lateral Wedge Insole With and Without Thigh and Abdominal Muscle Strengthening Exercises on the Balance of Young People With Genuvarum: A Randomize Controlled Trial

Background and Aim

Genuvarum is a common lower limb deformity that affects the alignment of the leg in the frontal plane. This can lead to changes in the ground reaction force (GRF) and center of pressure (COP) of the foot, disrupting postural control strategies, and causing balance issues. This study aimed to determine the effect of strengthening exercises of thigh and abdominal muscles, along with use of a lateral wedge insole (LWI) on balance in young people with genuvarum.

Methods

A total of 40 individuals aged 18-40 with genuvarum were split into two groups, with 20 people in each group. Participants in one group received only LWI (LWI group), while those in other group received LWI along with thigh and abdominal muscle strengthening exercises (LWI + exercises group). Balance tests were conducted before and after the 4-week interventions under barefoot condition on a force plate. The tests included parameters related to COP in single- and two-legged standing for static balance, and loading rate of F0 and F1 while walking, peak vertical GRF, and time to reach stability while jumping-landing test for dynamic balance.

Results

In the comparison between LWI + exercises group and LWI group, there was a significant decrease in variables related to COP during single-leg standing and F1 loading rate during walking (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Incorporating muscle strengthening exercises targeting muscles around the thigh and abdominal region, in addition to using LWI, can be beneficial in individuals' rehabilitation with genuvarum, helping to prevent injuries related to poor posture control. Trial Registration: The current study was a randomized clinical trial, registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration number: IRCT20221103056387N1).

Effects of anti-pronation shoes on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in female runners with pronated feet: The role of physical fatigue

Physical fatigue and pronated feet constitute two risk factors for running-related lower limb injuries. Accordingly, different running shoe companies designed anti-pronation shoes with medial support to limit over pronation in runners. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness and clinical relevance of anti-pronation shoes. This study examined lower limb kinematics and kinetics in young female runners with pronated feet during running with anti-pronation versus regular (neutral) running shoes in unfatigued and fatigued condition. Twenty-six female runners aged 24.1±5.6 years with pronated feet volunteered to participate in this study. Kinetic (3D Kistler force plate) and kinematic analyses (Vicon motion analysis system) were conducted to record participants’ ground reaction forces and joint kinematics when running with anti-pronation compared with neutral running shoes. Physical fatigue was induced through an individualized submaximal running protocol on a motorized treadmill using rate of perceived exertion and heart rate monitoring. The statistical analyses indicated significant main effects of “footwear” for peak ankle inversion, peak ankle eversion, and peak hip internal rotation angles (p<0.03; d = 0.46–0.95). Pair-wise comparisons revealed a significantly greater peak ankle inversion angle (p<0.03; d = 0.95; 2.70°) and smaller peak eversion angle (p<0.03; d = 0.46; 2.53°) when running with anti-pronation shoes compared with neutral shoes. For kinetic data, significant main effects of “footwear” were found for peak ankle dorsiflexor moment, peak knee extensor moment, peak hip flexor moment, peak hip extensor moment, peak hip abductor moment, and peak hip internal rotator moment (p<0.02; d = 1.00–1.79). For peak positive hip power in sagittal and frontal planes and peak negative hip power in horizontal plane, we observed significant main effects of “footwear” (p<0.03; d = 0.92–1.06). Pairwise comparisons revealed that peak positive hip power in sagittal plane (p<0.03; d = 0.98; 2.39 w/kg), peak positive hip power in frontal plane (p = 0.014; d = 1.06; 0.54 w/kg), and peak negative hip power in horizontal plane (p<0.03; d = 0.92; 0.43 w/kg) were greater with anti-pronation shoes. Furthermore, the statistical analyses indicated significant main effects of “Fatigue” for peak ankle inversion, peak ankle eversion, and peak knee external rotation angles. Pair-wise comparisons revealed a fatigue-induced decrease in peak ankle inversion angle (p<0.01; d = 1.23; 2.69°) and a fatigue-induced increase in peak knee external rotation angle (p<0.05; d = 0.83; 5.40°). In addition, a fatigue-related increase was found for peak ankle eversion (p<0.01; d = 1.24; 2.67°). For kinetic data, we observed a significant main effect of “Fatigue” for knee flexor moment, knee internal rotator moment, and hip extensor moment (p<0.05; d = 0.83–1.01). The statistical analyses indicated significant a main effect of “Fatigue” for peak negative ankle power in sagittal plane (p<0.01; d = 1.25). Finally, we could not detect any significant footwear by fatigue interaction effects for all measures of joint kinetics and kinematics. Running in anti-pronation compared with neutral running shoes produced lower peak moments and powers in lower limb joints and better control in rear foot eversion. Physical fatigue increased peak moments and powers in lower limb joints irrespective of the type of footwear.

The effects of low arched feet on lower limb joints moment asymmetry during gait in children: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of flexible flat feet in children was reported to be up to 20% in previous studies. However, the role of foot type in the development of musculoskeletal injuries is less clear, particularly in children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the joint moment asymmetry in children with flexible flat feet and healthy matched control subjects.

METHODS

Fourteen male children with flexible flat feet and 15 healthy control subjects served as the sample of the study. Three dimensional kinematics and kinetic data were collected using a Vicon camera system and two Kistler force platforms during walking. Then between-limb asymmetry was examined for each joint moment.

RESULTS

Normal individuals experienced higher asymmetry in the ankle eversion and the external rotation moments than the flat feet group. Asymmetry indices in the knee abduction, adduction, and the internal rotation moments in the flat feet group were higher than that in the normal group by 15%, 24% and 13%, respectively. Furthermore, in comparison of the two groups, individuals with flat feet had higher asymmetry in the hip flexion moment as well as the hip abduction moment.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to provide appropriate protocols or footwear design for male children with flat feet, clinicians need to understand that flat feet children do not have higher levels of joint moment asymmetry as compared to normal children in all joints and all planes; consequently, they must differentiate their treatments for each specific joint. However, further larger study is warranted.