The influence of isometric resisted ankle strength on dynamic foot plantar pressure in diabetes and non-diabetes participants

Abstract

<b>Introduction</b>: Patients with diabetes are more likely to fall due to increased plantar pressure and decreased strength in the lower extremities.<br /> <b>Objectives:</b> To determine the influence of isometric ankle strength on dynamic foot plantar pressure in diabetes and non-diabetes participants.<br /> <b>Methods: </b>Twenty diabetes patients and twenty non-diabetes participants with age 28-54 years, height 150-182 cm, weight 48-90 kg, and BMI 25-54 kg/m² participated in the study. The diabetes level was determined based on fasting plasma glucose levels. The resisted isometric muscle strength of the foot during dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion was measured using an electronic handheld dynamometer. The plantar pressure distribution during dynamic conditions was determined by using a 48.7×44.7 cm pressure platform. The outcome measures between diabetes and non-diabetes groups were statistically compared by student t-test. The correlation coefficient was determined by the Pearson correlation coefficient test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.<br /> <b>Result: </b>The significant differences were found between diabetes and non-diabetes participants for the dorsiflexion (p=.048), plantarflexion (p=.031), inversion (p=.011), eversion (p=.024), peak pressure (p=.024), pressure per square inch (p=.012), pressure time integral (p=.014), and peak pressure gradient (p=.009). Significant relationships between resisted isometric ankle joint strength and foot plantar pressure for diabetes patients and non-diabetes participants were found.<br /> <b>Conclusion: </b>The present study’s findings reflect the higher frequency of plantar pressure distribution and higher muscle weakness in diabetes patients than in non-diabetes participants. These findings suggested that pressure data could help us to customize therapy strategies for patients with diabetes and prescribe a proper exercise intervention’s short-and long-term effects on gait biomechanics.