Evaluation of the Effect of a Clinical Exercise Programme on Plantar Distribution and Correction of Postural Asymmetries

Predicting Body Pain by Postural Related Problems in Middle-age and Older Adults Using Machine Learning

The aim of this study was to identify significant variables that contribute to the association between postural problems, plantar pressure distribution and levels of bodily pain in middle-aged and elderly adults. The researchers' hypothesis is that plantar pressure characteristics and postural asymmetries differ according to gender, are related to body composition and predict pain levels. The study described here is the only one to include variables that make it possible to identify body asymmetries in a postural analysis, based on the distribution of plantar pressure and body composition.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: This Study Highlights Differences in Baropodometry Between Genders
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution

Detailed Description

The study employed an observational cross-sectional design. A convenience sample was recruited to analyse differences between men and women in anthropometrics, body composition, plantar pressure distribution, and pain levels. Without intervention, researchers observed and recorded data at a single time point, allowing comparisons between sexes and exploring correlations among the measured variables. This type of design allowed a snapshot view of the differences and associations present within the sample.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 52

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Portugal
  • Rua Das Areias, 11 - 2
    • Setúbal, Rua Das Areias, 11 - 2, Portugal, 2910-407
      • Svitlana Dikhtyarenko

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The population of the present study consisted of 52 (n=52) participants of both sexes. The majority of study participants were female, comprising 67.3% (n=35), while 32.7 % of the sample were male (n=17). The mean age of participants was 57.35 years in males and 64.69 years in females.

Description

Inclusion criteria:

• Participants had to be at least eighteen years old and physically fit. All participants had to complete the PAR-Q (health questionnaire), psychological well-being questionnaire (EBEP) and sign the free, informed and informed consent form (CLIE).

Exclusion criteria:

• In order to reduce the risk of injury or aggravation of known diseases, the researchers chose the following exclusion criteria: serious orthopaedic problems (prosthesis fitting, recent orthopaedic surgery), reported neurological problems (requiring daily medication), cardiopulmonary diseases (pacemaker, use of oxygen cylinders) and pregnant women.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

7

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
I; The 'M' point is on the heels of both feet.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
II; The 'M' point is located on the heel of the left foot and the forefoot of the right foot.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
III; Point 'M' is located on the heel of the right foot and the forefoot of the left foot.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
IV; The point of maximum pressure is in the forefoot area of both feet.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
V; The 'M' point is in the medial zone on both feet.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
VI; The 'M' point is located on the left midfoot and right rearfoot.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.
VII; The 'M' point is located on the right midfoot and left rearfoot.	Other: Effectiveness of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving plantar pressure distribution; At the beginning of the study, the participants underwent a baropodometric and photometric analysis. At the same time, anthropometric data and self-assessed body pain data were collected. For 12 continuous weeks, the participants completed a training programme that included specific exercises designed for each group. At the end, the baropodometry images were analysed again, which led to the final conclusion of the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Importance and benefits of physical exercise in preventing pain and improving quality of life	Sequencing of the training plan	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Bodily pain and discomfort	Relationship between posture and pain	12 weeks

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Significant changes in baropodometry images	Physical exercise and changes in footsteps	12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Beira Interior
• Investigators: Study Director: Pedro Mr Forte, PhD, University of Beira Interior; Study Director: Dulce Ms Esteves, PhD, University os Beira Interior

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): February 1, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 6, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 16, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): October 17, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 17, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 16, 2024
• Last Verified: October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Baropodometry, Bioimpedance, Artificial Intelligence
• Other Study ID Numbers: CE-UBI-Pj-2023-030

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No