Affiliations: Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding authors: Weijie Fu, Yu Liu, Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, %****␣ies-27-ies192139_temp.tex␣Line␣25␣**** Shanghai University of Sport, 200438 Shanghai, China. E-mail: fuweijie@sus.edu.cn;yuliu@sus.edu.cn.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Long-term habitual rear-foot strike (RFS) pattern with modern running shoes may negatively affect the intrinsic muscle function of the medial longitudinal arch, which can increase the risk of foot disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore whether habitual RFS pattern with modern running shoes can affect the muscle strength of the medial longitudinal arch. METHODS: A total of 12 runners who exhibited habitual RFS pattern (RR) with modern running shoes and 12 nonhabitual runners (NR) underwent plantar muscle group strength test for 10 s, hallux flexion and lesser toe flexion strength test. The maximal strength for all tests was normalised by body mass. RESULTS: No significant differences, on any of the outcome measures, were noted between the two groups. However, in RR the normalized strength of plantar muscle group demonstrated a decreasing trend (p= 0.065). CONCLUSIONS: Runners who exhibit habitual RFS pattern with modern running shoes present a decreasing trend in the muscle strength of the medial longitudinal arch. The effects of posture and cushioned shoes should be explored further.
