Effects of a 6-Minute Fast-Walking Protocol on Changes in Muscle Activity in Individuals with Flatfoot

Flatfoot causes abnormal biomechanics in the lower extremity, resulting in discomfort and excessive burden on lower extremity muscles during functional tasks, and it potentially leads to associated syndromes in the lower extremity. The aim of this study was to investigate how a demanding, repetitive...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inApplied sciences Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 2207
Main Authors Chiang, Chu-Yuan, Lin, Kuang-Wei, Lee, Hui-Min, Wei, Shun-Hwa, Chou, Li-Wei
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Basel MDPI AG 01.02.2022
Subjects
Ankle
Biomechanics
Electromyography
Extremities
Fatigue
Fitness equipment
flexible flatfoot
Foot diseases
Motion capture
muscle activity
Muscle contraction
Muscle fatigue
Muscle strength
Muscles
Muscular fatigue
Pain
six-minute fast walk
Skeletal muscle
Software
Variance analysis
Walking
United States > US
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Flatfoot causes abnormal biomechanics in the lower extremity, resulting in discomfort and excessive burden on lower extremity muscles during functional tasks, and it potentially leads to associated syndromes in the lower extremity. The aim of this study was to investigate how a demanding, repetitive task affects the muscle strength, activities, and fatigue of the lower extremities during function tasks. Nineteen individuals with flexible flatfoot (10M9F, age: 24.74 ± 2.68 years) and fifteen non-flatfoot participants (6M9F, age: 24.47 ± 3.74) took part in this study. All participants performed maximal voluntary isometric contraction and functional tasks, including walking and single-leg standing tests before and immediately after a 6-min fast-walking protocol. A surface electromyography system was used to collect muscle activation data. Our results showed that, after 6 min of fast walking, peroneus longus activity increased only in the non-flatfoot group, and gastrocnemius activity increased in the flexible flatfoot group. In the flexible flatfoot group, greater recruitment in abductor halluces and greater fatigue in the tibialis anterior was observed. Individuals with flexible flatfoot showed altered muscle activation pattern after 6-min fast walking. These findings can provide an evidence-based explanation of associated syndromes in flatfoot populations and lead to potential intervention strategies in the future.
ISSN:2076-3417
2076-3417
DOI:10.3390/app12042207