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Background and Objective: Proprioceptors of the plantar surfaces of the foot have less efficiency and the stimulation and reinforcement of them may be lead to reduction of falling risk. One of the methods to reinforce proprioceptor receptors in these individuals is using textured foot orthoses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of textured foot orthoses on frequency spectrum of lower extremity muscles, stance time and comfort in individuals over age of 55 years during walking.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done on the 14 females and 14 males age ranged of 56-70 years with the ability to walk independently and with physical and mental health status. Subjects were compared during five conditions including without foot orthoses and using four foot orthoses (including small and large foot orthoses with two types of flexible and rigid), flexible and rigid large textured foot orthoses. The 8 electrodes were located on tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinisus, gluteus, and erector spinae in 3 lumbar vertebrae region muscles.
Results: Frequency content of tibialis anterior and vastus medialis was significantly increased in males than female (P<0.05). Vastus medialis frequency during walking with large foot orthoses was more than walking without foot orthoses (P<0.05). The comfort level was different during flexible large textured foot orthoses condition compared with flexible small textured foot orthoses condition (P<0.05). The stance time was not significant between all conditions.
Conclusion: Increased frequency content of the vastus medialis muscle can increase the absorption and decrease the vertical loading rate imposed on the foot, which in turn reduces the risk of injury of the lower limb in older adults.

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Background and Objective: The ankle is one of the most vulnerable joints in the body in terms of weight bearing. The pronate foot is the most common complication of the lower limbs that causes a decrease in the height of the internal longitudinal arch when bearing body weight. This study was conducted to compare the effect of exercises in water and with thera-band on loading rate, impulse, and free torque in people with pronation immediately and after eight weeks.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 45 male students with pronate foot at the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups of 15 people including control, thera-band, and water training. The intervention groups performed the exercises for eight weeks and the immediate and long-term effects of the exercises were compared.
Results: The positive and negative peaks of free torque, vertical loading rate, and vertical impulse in the water training group after eight weeks decreased significantly compared to the pretest and immediately after exercise (P<0.05). Also, the internal-external direct impulse in the water training group increased significantly after eight weeks compared to the pretest and immediately after exercise (P<0.05). In addition, the positive peak of free torque and vertical impulse decreased significantly in the thera-band group after eight weeks compared to the pretest and immediately after exercise (P<0.05). Moreover, the loading rate decreased significantly immediately and after eight weeks in the thera-band group compared to the pretest (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks of exercise in water and with thera-band can improve loading rate, free torque, and impulse in people with pronate foot during walking.
 

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Background and Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is among the common causes of anterior knee pain in adolescents and individuals under 60 years of age. This study was conducted to determine the effect of closed kinetic chain exercises on changes in plantar foot pressure dynamics in women with PFPS.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 female university students aged 20 to 35 divided into two groups of 15 (one group diagnosed with PFPS and a healthy control group) at Mohaghegh Ardabili University in 2023. The PFPS group had a pain history of at least two months to a maximum of one year. The experimental group performed closed kinetic chain exercises three times a week for eight weeks. Plantar foot pressure variables were measured using a pressure foot scanner (sampling rate of 300 Hz).
Results: The peak forces in the first toe during slow-speed running exhibited a statistically significant decrease in both the healthy group (64.91 ± 28.69) and the PFPS group (215.19 ± 60.28). Furthermore, the time to reach the peak ground reaction force in the PFPS group (49.65 ± 44.332) showed a statistically significant increase during the post-test at slow-speed running (P<0.05). The external heel force (153.97±3.62) and the fifth metatarsal bone (65.19±19.77) in the healthy group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the post-test compared to the PFPS group during fast-speed running (P<0.05). In both the healthy and PFPS groups, statistically significant decreases were observed in the post-test for center of pressure (COP) displacement variables in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions during both slow-speed and fast-speed running (P<0.05). Additionally, in the healthy group, a statistically significant reduction was found in the post-test for COP displacement at the first toe (64.5±51.08) during fast-speed running (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Closed kinetic chain exercises lead to a statistically significant reduction in plantar foot pressure variables in women with PFPS and healthy women.
 

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Studies indicate a significant impact of rehabilitation exercises on improving complications related to ankle injuries. This review aimed to evaluate the effects of various exercise protocols with and without the use of taping and kinesio taping, in individuals with ankle injuries. Article were searched in both Persian and English from 2007 to 2023 in the specialized databases of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science (WoS), Google Scholar, Islamic World Sciences Citation (ISC), Civilica, State Inpatient Database (SID), and Magiran. The keywords used for article extraction included "Ankle ligament," "Ankle injury," "Ankle sprain," "Corrective exercises," and "Taping." Ultimately, 16 articles related to the effects of various exercise protocols with and without the use of taping following ankle injury were reviewed and analyzed. A review of 6 articles revealed that exercise protocols with the use of taping have reduced the likelihood of lower extremity injuries by increasing ankle muscle strength and improving selected kinetic variables, proprioception, and ankle function. Additionally, an examination of 3 articles on exercise protocols with the use of taping demonstrated that the application of taping had no significant effect on function. Furthermore, a review of 7 articles on exercise protocols without the use of taping demonstrated that performing such exercises culminated in the restoration of muscle strength and improved proprioception and static balance. The results revealed that various exercise protocols with and without the use of taping are significantly effective in preventing recurrent ankle ligament injuries; however, the application of taping may have a superior effect on ankle injury recovery.