Abstract
Background: The effect of prolonged occupation-related physical activity can induce stress and strain on the plantar heel pad. These strains can lead to the thickening of the human heel pad. Methods: The effect of occupation-related physical activity on the thickness of the Heel pad (HPT) was assessed among four classes of occupation- Labourers/farmers, Dancers, Athletes and an inactive class (control/normal group) in a southeast Nigerian population. Results: Results show that the inactive class had the lowest values for HPT (9.061.26; 9.001.73mm for right and left sides respectively). The athletes had the highest values (15.151.51; 15.181.57mm for the right and left sides respectively). Multiple comparison shows that Labourers, Dancers and athletes had significantly higher values than the control group (P=0.000; 0.036; 0.000 respectively). Conclusion: Our findings have conclusively established that occupation-related prolonged Physical activity induces thickening of the heel pad. Interventions should be initiated to avoid the setting in of degenerating conditions that may lead to plantar heel pain.
Highlights
Physical activity can be described as the degree of use of the musculoskeletal system
The level of physical activity of individuals has been reported to influence the functional mechanics of the human musculoskeletal system and may obviously influence the geometry and biomechanics of Gait[1]
During the measurement of Heel Pad Thickness (HPT), the subjects lay prone on a couch with legs www.ssjournals.com extended, the ultrasound gel was applied to the surface of the heel and the pad measured from its calcaneal boarder to the end of the pad[12]
Summary
Physical activity can be described as the degree of use of the musculoskeletal system. 1,4 reported activity related differences in the thickness of the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon respectively which are other soft tissues associated with the bipedalic dynamics of human locomotion They further stated that the difference was connected with the occupation of the subjects. No study has investigated any activity related changes in the thickness of the heel pad in our Sub-saharan African environment where factors like the consistent use of the bipedalic system of motion by farmers and their associates in the harvest and transportation of farm produce; by labourers in numerous construction sites without mechanization and who transport heavy work tools and building materials; by professional athletes who are constantly using their feet to earn a living by strenuous acts of running, jumping, cycling; by traditional dancers who entertain people by exhibiting extra-dexterity in feet movement, may impact on the structural and functional inclinations of the human heel pad. The study will give further insight into the structural inclination of the heel pad in the different foot biomechanical orientations associated with the occupations and form a basis for other occupation related studies on biomechanics within our sub-saharan African environment
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