Foot Strengthening to Improve Balance and Gait in Older Adults
Evaluation of a Novel Foot Strengthening Device for Improving Fall Risk, Balance, and Gait With Age
Indiana University
160 participants
Jan 1, 2026
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether different foot-strengthening strategies can improve foot strength, balance, walking ability, and fall-related outcomes in middle-aged and older adults (ages 45-85 years). The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does foot strength change from baseline after an 8-week foot-strengthening intervention? * Do balance, gait, and physical function improve following different foot-strengthening approaches? Researchers will compare minimalist footwear use, a foot exercise program, a foot-strengthening device (ToePro), and no intervention to see if these interventions lead to greater improvements in foot strength, balance, gait, and fall-related outcomes than no intervention. Participants will: * Complete baseline and post-intervention laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait * Perform foot strengthening exercises or wear minimalist footwear (if applicable) five days/week for eight weeks * Complete daily logs to record intervention compliance
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Healthy adults: age 45-85 years old
- Able to walk without an assistive walking device or lower limb prosthesis
- No history of foot or ankle surgery
- No history of regular minimalist footwear use
- No foot or ankle issues for which study activities may be contraindicated
- BMI \<= 40
Exclusion Criteria5
- Deemed unfit for physical activity by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
- Current or history of an unresolved musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary/respiratory, metabolic, renal condition, disease, or problem
- Use of orthotics in daily (i.e., non-athletic) footwear
- Pregnancy
- Any other disease or problems that may affect movement or the ability to exercise even at a low intensity
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Interventions
Habitual use of low-cushion, low-structure footwear designed to increase intrinsic foot muscle engagement during daily activities.
Home-based exercises including toe flexion, toe press, and arch-control movements performed several times per week.
A dense foam exercise platform designed to strengthen intrinsic foot muscles through loaded toe press exercises in lengthened muscle positions.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT07384754