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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Plantar Fasciitis | Research article

A prospective study of the muscle strength and reaction time of the quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscles in patients with plantar fasciitis

Authors: Jin Hyuck Lee, Hae Woon Jung, Woo Young Jang

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Muscle weakness is an important etiological factor in plantar fasciitis (PF), but available data on the role of the quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the strength and reaction time of the quadriceps, hamstring, and GCM muscles and foot pressure between patients with PF and normal controls.

Methods

A total of 21 PF patients and 21 normal controls were enrolled. Muscle strength was measured by the peak torque per body weight (Nmkg− 1 × 100). Muscle reaction time was evaluated by the acceleration time (AT, milliseconds). Foot pressure and posture were assessed by pedobarography [valgus/varus index (VV index), %].

Results

The strength of the quadriceps was significantly lower in the affected ankles of the PF group than in the control group (p = 0.005). The AT of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was significantly increased in the affected ankles of the PF group than in the control group (quadriceps: p = 0.012, hamstring: p = 0.001), while the AT of the GCM muscle was significantly decreased (p = 0.009) and significantly correlated negatively with quadriceps muscle strength (r = −.598, p = 0.004) and AT (r = −.472, p = 0.031). Forefoot (p = 0.001) and hindfoot (p = 0.000) pressure were significantly greater, with the VV index showing hindfoot valgus, in the affected ankles in the PF group compared to the control group (p = 0.039).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated weakness and delayed reaction time of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, with a rapid reaction time of the GCM muscle, in patients with PF.

Clinical relevance

Clinicians and therapists should assess the function of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles when planning the management of PF patients without muscle tightness.
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Metadata
Title
A prospective study of the muscle strength and reaction time of the quadriceps, hamstring, and gastrocnemius muscles in patients with plantar fasciitis
Authors
Jin Hyuck Lee
Hae Woon Jung
Woo Young Jang
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03740-1

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