Effect of the "Building Osteo Neatly Exercise" program on quantitative ultrasound parameters and plantar pressure distribution for college-aged females.
Shiho Kurosaka, Takeshi Ueda, Yuko Yamasaki and 4 others
PMID 31631944WHAT IT FOUND
In 40 young women, a 4-month foot exercise program increased heel bone ultrasound measures and made pressure during walking closer to ideal.
It does not show effects in older adults with osteoporosis.
Key findings
01After 4 months, speed of sound and bone area ratio increased significantly in the experimental group, and speed of sound was significantly higher than in the control group.
02The experimental group showed significant improvements in deviations from ideal plantar pressure values in the medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, and rear-foot pressure.
03Rear-foot pressure deviation was negatively correlated with percentage increases in speed of sound and bone area ratio.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The sample was 40 college-aged women with no regular exercise habit, so results may not apply to men, older adults, people with osteoporosis, or people with walking dysfunction. The paper does not state which outcome was primary. The control group's activity, blinding, and allocation concealment are not described. The full 12-step program was tested, so the effect of any single step cannot be separated. The study lasted 4 months, and it is unclear whether improvements would be maintained over the long term. Changes in foot structure, such as arches and forefoot, were inferred rather than directly measured. Participants had no osteoporosis or serious decline in bone mineral density, so it is unclear whether similar outcomes would occur in older patients.
Declared interests
The paper declares no conflicts of interest and does not state a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this program prevents osteoporosis or that any single foot exercise caused the change. The study used the full 12-step BONE program in 40 young women without osteoporosis or walking problems, and it did not test older patients or long-term effects.