Actively Recruiting
Foot Strengthening to Improve Balance and Gait in Older Adults
Led by Indiana University · Updated on 2026-02-03
160
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
77 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
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
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Foot Strengthening to Improve Balance and Gait in Older Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Healthy adults aged 45 to 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 that make study activities unsafe
- Body mass index (BMI) of 40 or less
You will not qualify if you...
- Unfit for physical activity based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
- Current or unresolved musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary/respiratory, metabolic, or kidney conditions or diseases
- Use of orthotics in daily (non-athletic) footwear
- Pregnancy
- Any other disease or problem affecting movement or ability to exercise even at low intensity
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
School of Public Health-Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana, United States, 47405
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
M
Marni Wasserman, MS
CONTACT
A
Allison H. Gruber, PhD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
4
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