The purpose of this study is to identify the walking gait dysfunction in middle-aged patients with plantar heel pain (PHP; pain on the bottom of the heel).
Who can participate?
- Males and Females
- Ages 45 to 64
- No significant lower limb swelling
- No lower back, hip, thigh, knee, lower leg, or ankle pain within the last 3 months
- No diabetes, lower body arthritis, neuromuscular or vascular disease
- No medications that may cause dizziness or impair the ability to walk
- No implanted devices (e.g. cardiac pace-maker) or allergy to Silver
- Females may not be pregnant
Plantar Heel Pain Participants
- Plantar heel pain for at least the last 3 months
Participants with No Heel Pain
- No history of plantar heel pain
What will I do?: (1 ≈ 3 h visit or 2 ≈ 1.5 h visits)
- Screening Form: Phone or Microsoft FORM assessment (≈ 10 min)
- Questions about the study inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Complete several questionnaires about your general health and lower body pain and injury history (≈ 30 min)
- Visit 1: Preliminary Procedures and Strength Assessment (≈ 1.5 h)
- Brief screening clinical exam (PHP participants only)
- Another general health questionnaire
- Height and weight measurement
- Lower body muscle strength and joint range of motion assessment
- Visit 2 (or visit 1 if completing a single ≈ 3 h visit): Walking Gait Assessment (≈ 1.5 h)
- Reflective markers will be placed on your lower body to measure the motion of your joints
- Sensors will be placed on your muscles to measure your muscle activity
- Level ground walking gait trials
Scan this QR code, or click this link to sign up!
Will I Receive Anything for Participating?
- Each participant who completes the study will receive $50.00 in gift cards