The Effects of Changing Footstrike Pattern on the Amplitude and Frequency Spectrum of Ground Reaction Forces During Running in Individuals With Pronated Feet

Abstract

Purpose: The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of barefoot and shod running with two different styles on ground reaction force-frequency content in recreational runners with low arched feet. Methods: The statistical sample of this research was 13 males with Pronated Feet (PF) (Mean±SD age: 26.2±2.8 y; height: 176.1±8.4 cm; weight: 78.3±14.3 kg). A force plate (Bertec, USA) with a sample rate of 1000 Hz was used to record the reaction forces under each foot. Three test conditions in our study included shod running with rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot patterns. Repeated-measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used for analyzing the data. Results: During forefoot running, the research subjects attained 10% higher GRF values in vertical direction, compared with rearfoot running (P˂0.001, d=2.133). Forefoot running decreased the peak vertical GRF, compared to rearfoot running (by 12%, P=0.01, d=0.826). Barefoot running decreased the peak vertical GRF, compared to shod running (by 6%, P=0.027, d=1.143). The collected results revealed a significantly lower FyMed (P<0.02, d=1.11, 14%), Fy99.5% (P<0.02, d=0.11, 8%), and greater FyNe (P<0.02, d=0.72, 10%), Fz99.5% (P<0.01, d=4.30, 124%), and FzNe (P<0.01, d=1.65, 44%) when running with rearfoot strike pattern, compared with forefoot strike pattern. Conclusion: The study subjects with pronated feet experienced greater GRF values during forefoot running than rearfoot; such data may imply an increased risk of running injuries. Therefore, forefoot running is not recommended for runners with pronated feet.

Sand Exercises Altered Muscular Frequency Content in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Pronated Feet During Walking

“…Therefore, in addition to the changes in the standing position, the abnormalities of this part also affect the movement [7]. Overpronation of the foot is considered a major contributing factor in lower limb injuries [16]. It has been reported that between 0.6% and 8.5% of male players experience an injury to a ligament called the anterior cruciate ligament each year [9].…”

“…Knee injuries account for approximately 61% of sports injuries [17]. The pronation of the foot and internal rotation of the tibia are coupled with each other and create torsional forces [16]. This torsional stress may lead to ligament tears or dislocation-induced fractures [16].…”

“…The pronation of the foot and internal rotation of the tibia are coupled with each other and create torsional forces [16]. This torsional stress may lead to ligament tears or dislocation-induced fractures [16]. The compensatory mechanism caused by muscle weakness in some other muscles can cause a disturbance in the ratio of muscle forces and then cause changes in the movement pattern [2].…”