The effect of a home-based stretching exercise on the ground reaction force generation and absorption during walking in individuals with plantar fasciitis

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a home-based stretching exercise program in individuals with plantar fasciitis (PF), and to compare its effect on ground reaction force (GRF)-time variables between the mild, moderate, and severe pain subgroups as well as between before and after in each subgroup.
Design: A single cohort with pre-and post-test design.
Interventions: Twenty individuals with PF received 3 weeks of home-based stretching exercise program for calf muscles and plantar fascia. The data were compared between before and after exercise in a whole number of participants and were compared among
the mild (n = 7), moderate (n = 7), and severe (n = 6) pain subgroups.
Main Outcome Measures: Force data were collected during walking using two force plates. GRF-time variables included the force and time at; first peak (F1 and TF1), valley (F2 and TF2), second peak (F3 and TF3) for the vertical forces, peak breaking (F4 and TF4) and propulsive (F5 and TF5) forces, first peak (F6 and TF6) and second peak lateral (F7 and TF7) forces. Additionally, worst pain was assessed using the visual analog scale.
Results: Significant reductions were seen in F2, TF2, TF3, TF5 and worst pain after exercise in individuals with PF (P <0.05). No differences were seen between the three subgroups. For the within subgroup analysis, only the mild subgroup showed significant changes in F2, TF2, F4, TF6, and TF7 after exercise (P <0.05).
Conclusion: A home-based stretching exercise program was effective in reducing pain and some GRF-time variables, with the most noticeable response seen in the mild subgroup.