The Effect of a Short Foot Eccentric Endurance Exercise on Foot Center of Pressure: A Pilot study

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 5-week short foot eccentric endurance training program on the foot center of pressure measures in healthy university graduate students.METHODS: Eleven healthy students between the ages of 18 and 35 years (n=11, 3 males, 8 females; mean age 26.5±2.5 years; BMI 23.9±2.6 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were included in the study. The participants volunteered in a 5-week progressive eccentric contraction short foot exercise program performed three times per week. The main outcome pressure measurements pre- and post-intervention in static double leg stance were measured using a MatScan<sup>®</sup> Pressure Mapping System.RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in the base of support (<i>p</i>=.002, ES=2.59), time to boundary (<i>p</i>=.024, ES=1.63), and overall minima measures (<i>p</i>=.05, ES=1.36) pre- and post-intervention.CONCLUSIONS: A 5-week progressive eccentric contraction short foot exercise program significantly decreased the center of pressure excursion measures, demonstrating improved postural control.