One of the designs of modern sports shoes is the toe spring, upward curvature of the sole at the front of the shoe. The toe spring elevates the toe box dorsally above the ground and thereby holds the toes in a constantly dorsiflexed position. The toe spring holds the toes, so they move less
An anatomical study provides structural evidence for a morphological connection between the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia via the highly aligned calcaneal trabeculae of the posterior calcaneus. Macroscopic observations during the separation of the Achilles tendon-calcaneus-plantar fascia complex (AT-calcaneus-PF complex). (A) The AT-calcaneus-PF complex can be observed looking from proximal to distal after the AT was
The effects of static stretching on subsequent sport performance and strength have been hotly debated in sport science. Internet gurus loudly offer their wisdom that there is no use of stretching and it can even be detrimental. However, the science of stretching has also changed within the past decade. Researchers from the University of Postdam
Structural integration (SI) is a form of manual therapy, originally developed by Dr. Ida Rolf, which targets fascial tissues combined with motor re-education. The main goal of SI is to restore the functional capabilities of the human body. It was hypothesized that SI acts mechanically on sensitive receptors in the soft tissues, which results in changes
Peripheral nerve injury is a debilitating condition; the injured axons can cause loss of motor, and autonomic functions, which can lead to a deterioration in the quality of life. Surgical repair is the primary treatment; however functional recovery following re-innervation surgery is still not satisfying. Evidence suggests that brain plasticity-based rehabilitation is crucial for the
