Impact of Foot Mobility Techniques on Balance and Pressure in Young Adults

February 4, 2025 updated by: Maria Paço, Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário

Effects of Specific Foot Mobility Techniques on Biomechanical and Functional Parameters in Young Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of specific foot mobility techniques on functional and biomechanical parameters of the foot in young adults aged 18 to 24 years. The study employs a randomized controlled trial design with the following key components:

Key outcomes include:

Baropodometric pressures (measured using a baropodometric platform). Balance (evaluated through the Y-Balance Test). Navicular height (assessed using the Navicular Drop Test) Anterior functional reach (measured through functional reach test)

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This study explores the immediate and short-term effects of specific foot mobility techniques on functional and biomechanical outcomes in healthy young adults. The research is grounded in the growing recognition of the foot's critical role in postural control, balance, and lower-limb biomechanics.

The intervention consists of foot mobility techniques designed to improve joint mobility and overall foot function. These techniques will be applied bilaterally. The study employs a randomized controlled trial design, with participants randomly allocated to either the experimental group (receiving the intervention) or the control group (receiving no treatment during the intervention period).

Participants are assessed at three time points:

Baseline (M0): Before the intervention. Immediately Post-Intervention (M1). Follow-Up (M2): 24 hours after the intervention.

The primary outcomes include:

Changes in plantar pressure distribution and postural control as measured by a baropodometric platform.

Balance performance assessed through the Y-Balance Test. Navicular height variation evaluated using the Navicular Drop Test. Anterior functional reach, measured by Functional Reach Test. The study focuses on identifying measurable improvements in functional and biomechanical parameters that may enhance clinical approaches to foot health and rehabilitation. By targeting a young and healthy population, the research aims to establish a foundation for further studies in other age groups and clinical conditions. This work aims to contribute to evidence-based practices in manual therapy and foot biomechanics.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Portugal
    • Braga
      • Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga, Portugal, 4760-409
        • Escola Superior de Saúde do Vale do Ave
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Maria Paço, PhD
        • Contact:
          • Paula Chaves, PhD
        • Contact:
          • Marta Freitas, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • minimum age of 18 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • pregnant women,
  • individuals with lesions in the lower limbs in the last 12 months,
  • history of congenital deformity in the lower limb
  • presence of vestibular or balance disorders
  • users of corrective insoles or orthoses.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
No Intervention: Control
No intervention
Experimental: Specific foot mobility
Specific mobility of the foot, performed bilaterally.
Other: Specific foot mobility
Specific mobility of the foot, performed bilaterally.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Balance - Y balance test
Time Frame: M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
Assesses dynamic balance by having participants reach as far as possible in multiple directions with one foot while maintaining balance on the other, providing insight into lower limb stability and control.
M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
Baropodometric pressure
Time Frame: M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
To assess load distribution, participants will be instructed to stand on the force platform in an orthostatic position for 30 seconds.
M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
Navicular height - Navicular drop test
Time Frame: M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
The navicular drop test will be performed. In this test, the height of the navicular bone is measured with a caliper (in millimetres) from the ground to the most distal point of this bone.
M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
Anterior functional reach - functional reach test
Time Frame: M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.
The participant is instructed to stand close to, but not touching, a wall and position the arm that is closer to the wall at 90 degrees of shoulder flexion with a closed fist. The assessor records the starting position at the 3rd metacarpal head on the yardstick. Then, the participant is instructed to "Reach as far as you can forward without taking a step." The location of the 3rd metacarpal is then recorded in this position. The difference between the start and end position is the reach distance.
M0: Before intervention; M1: Immediately after intervention; M2: 24h after intervention.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

February 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

January 22, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 4, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 4, 2025

Last Verified

February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Foot mobility_2025

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

IPD Plan Description

eciding whether to share Individual Participant Data (IPD) involves weighing several considerations... we have to further reflect to make an informed decision about sharing IPD, balancing the potential benefits to the scientific community with the responsibility to protect participant rights and data integrity.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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