Dynamic Patterns of Forces and Loading Rate in Runners with Unilateral Plantar Fasciitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Ana Paula ^{[1, 2]} ; Amado Joao, Silvia Maria ^[1] ; Dinato, Roberto Casanova ^[1] ; Tessutti, Vitor Daniel ^[1] ; Neves Sacco, Isabel Camargo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Phys Therapy Speech & Occupat Therapy Dept, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Santo Amaro, Phys Therapy Dept, Sch Med, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 10, n. 9 SEP 16 2015.
• Web of Science Citations: 7

Abstract

Aim/Hypothesis The etiology of plantar fasciitis (PF) has been related to several risk factors, but the magnitude of the plantar load is the most commonly described factor. Although PF is the third most-common injury in runners, only two studies have investigated this factor in runners, and their results are still inconclusive regarding the injury stage. Objective Analyze and compare the plantar loads and vertical loading rate during running of runners in the acute stage of PF to those in the chronic stage of the injury in relation to healthy runners. Methods Forty-five runners with unilateral PF (30 acute and 15 chronic) and 30 healthy control runners were evaluated while running at 12 km/h for 40 meters wearing standardized running shoes and Pedar-X insoles. The contact area and time, maximum force, and force-time integral over the rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot were recorded and the loading rate (20-80% of the first vertical peak) was calculated. Groups were compared by ANOVAs (p<0.05). Results Maximum force and force-time integral over the rearfoot and the loading rate was higher in runners with PF (acute and chronic) compared with controls (p<0.01). Runners with PF in the acute stage showed lower loading rate and maximum force over the rearfoot compared to runners in the chronic stage (p<0.01). Conclusion Runners with PF showed different dynamic patterns of plantar loads during running over the rearfoot area depending on the injury stage (acute or chronic). In the acute stage of PF, runners presented lower loading rate and forces over the rearfoot, possibly due to dynamic mechanisms related to pain protection of the calcaneal area. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/14044-1 - Influence of the sport shoe construction in the lower limbs biomechanics during running.
• Grantee: Roberto Casanova Dinato
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 11/03069-6 - Effect of the chronic use of a flexible and non-heeled shoes on the clinical and kinetic gait characteristics in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis
• Grantee: Mariane Yokota
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation