محسن کتانچی

Training of elastic walking is a new method for elasticity in gait and correction of the distribution pattern of plantar pressure in patients with low back pain during gait. This study aimed to investigate the distribution pattern of plantar pressure during gait in women with low back pain following 8 weeks-training of elastic walking.

The present study was quasi-experimental. In this research, 20 women with low back pain were divided into control (n=11) and experimental (n=9) groups. Subjects from the experimental group performed elastic gait training for 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks while the control group didn’t have any exercise program. The plantar pressure variables included the peak of vertical ground reaction forces, the time to peak of ground reaction forces, loading rate, the peak of plantar pressure on the ten foot regions, the peak of ground reaction forces on the ten foot regions, and displacement of the pressure center in two internal-external (copx) and anterior-posterior (copy) lines. The distribution pattern of plantar pressure during gait was recorded by a foot scan system (Sampling rate 300 Hz) in pre-training and post-training. Two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. The significance level was set at P < 0.05.

In the experimental group, the results of this study demonstrated lower peak vertical reaction force (FzMS component) during post-test compared with pre-test (P = 0.002). Moreover, findings showed that the main effect of group on peak pressure in the mid-foot region was significant (P = 0.011). The results showed no significant difference concerning the main effect of group, the main effect of time and effect, interaction time and group on peak vertical reaction force, displacement of pressure center, vertical loading rate, and walking stance time (P > 0.05).

The findings of this study showed that training of elastic walking does not have a significant effect on stance time. Also, training of elastic walking in the experimental group reduced the peak vertical ground reaction force (FzMS component) during the post-test compared with the pre-test that can correct the walking pattern and improve the chronic low back pain.

Elastic walking with direct involvement of thoracolumbar fascia can prevent from recurrent low back pain. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of training of elastic walking on the frequency domain of ground reaction forces during running in 10 areas of foot in patients with low back pain. A total of 28 men with low back pain were randomly divided into experimental (n=16) and control (n=12) groups. The participants in the experimental group were trained with elastic walking for six weeks, three days per week, each time for 45 min. Frequency domains of ground reaction forces during both pre- and post-test were recorded using a foot scan system (sample rate: 300 Hz).    The results showed that in experimental group, the number of essential harmonies in the Toe 2 region during post-test was lower than that in the pre-test (P=0.017). The duration of running stance phase during both pre- and post-test were similar in both experimental and control groups (P>0/05). Findings of the present study demonstrated that the effects of elastic gait training on improvement of ground reaction force frequency content in low back patients may have a clinical value during rehabilitation.

Aims and The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of elastic gait training on the peak plantar pressure variables and peak forces of 10 regions of the foot, peak of vertical force, time to peak of vertical force and displacement of center of pressure in patients with low back pain during running.
The sample of this study included 29 men with low back pain. These subjects were divided into control (n=12) and experimental (n=17) groups. The experimental group did elastic gait training for 6 weeks. Peak plantar pressure variables during both pre and post-test were recorded by a foot scan system (sample rate: 300 Hz).
Findings: In the experimental group, findings demonstrated greater peak force on lateral part of the heel during posttest than in pre-test. Moreover, lower peak pressure in the fourth and fifth metatarsal regions were observed during post-test than in pre-test. In control group, greater peak forces in third metatarsal part, lateral, and medial parts of the heel were observed during post-test compared to pre-test.
Findings of this study demonstrated that elastic gait training did not have any significant effect on stance time. Also, elastic gait training increased peak force in lateral part of the heel and decreased peak pressure in fourth and fifth metatarsal parts.