|
|
 |
|
|
 |
| At Specht
Physical Therapy, we have your health in mind.
We are pleased to provide you with articles that contain
information and tips on health & fitness, physical therapy
and preventative care.
|
|
Foot biomechanics associated with exercise related leg pain
|
Foot pronation, sports participation, and a history of leg pain are associated with an increased risk of exercise-related leg pain in collegiate female athletes, says an article in the September issue of American Journal of Sports Medicine (Vol 34, No 9) by APTA member Mark F Reinking, PT, PhD, SCS, ATC.
While exercise-related leg pain is a common complaint among athletes, there is little evidence regarding risk factors for this condition in female collegiate athletes. This study examined prospectively the effect of selected extrinsic and intrinsic factors on the development of exercise-related leg pain in female collegiate athletes.
Participants were 76 female collegiate athletes participating in fall season sports, including cross-country running, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball. Athletes were seen for a preseason examination that included measures of height, weight, foot pronation, and calf muscle length as well as a questionnaire for disordered eating behaviors. Body mass index was calculated from height and weight. Those athletes who developed exercise-related leg pain during the season were seen for follow-up. All athletes who developed the condition and a matched group without such leg pain underwent bone mineral density and body composition testing.
Of the 76 athletes, 58 (76%) reported a history of exercise-related leg pain, and 20 (26%) reported occurrence of exercise-related leg pain during the season. A history of this condition was strongly associated with its occurrence during the season (odds ratio, 13.2). Exercise-related leg pain was most common among field hockey and cross-country athletes and least common among soccer players. There were no differences between athletes with and without such leg pain regarding age, muscle length, self-reported eating behaviors, body mass index, menstrual function, or bone mineral density. Athletes with exercise-related leg pain had significantly greater navicular drop compared with those without. |
|
Go Back to Previous Page
|
|
|
|
|
|
