Effect of Hydrotherapy on Muscle Activities and Running Kinetics in Adult Males with Pronated Foot: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

The potential risk factor for injuries resulting from a pronated foot (PF) has been discussed. The water properties can be used to improve the biomechanics of the lower limb. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate hydrotherapy's effect on muscle activities and running kinetics in adult males with PF. This study was a randomized clinical trial type. Thirty adult males with PF were divided into two equally sized groups. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were collected by a force plate on the runway. Muscle activities were recorded using a surface electromyography system. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVAs. The significance level was established at p<0.05. Significant main effects of “time” were found for first peak vertical GRF (p=0.032), first peak mediolateral GRF (p=0.007), last peak mediolateral GRF (p=0.041), first peak anterior-posterior GRF (p=0.028) and positive free moment (p=0.003). In the early stance phase of the experimental group, significantly larger tibialis anterior (p=0.026), gastrocnemius medialis (p=0.002), and gluteus medius (p=0.004) muscle activities were found after the test compared to before the test. Hydrotherapy changed the GRFs and muscular activities of the lower extremities in adult men with PF. More research is needed to understand this issue better.

Keywords

• Electromyography
• Ground reaction forces
• Hydrotherapy
• Pronated foot

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