CHANGES IN FOOT CHARACTERISTICS AFTER A 3-HOUR EXERCISE BOUT

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The purpose of this study was to determine if the foot swells significantly after a 3-hour bout of treadmill walking. Thirteen apparently healthy women walked on a treadmill at 1.43m/s for three hours. Before and after exercise each subject had shoe size determined, foot/ankle volume displacement taken, as well as foot molds made. The foot molds were measured for width of the big toe, ball of the foot, arch, and heel; as well as length of the arch and total foot. Dependent t-tests (α <.05) were used to compare pre and post test results. Mean foot length increased by nearly a half size. Significant increases in the width of the ball of the foot (0.3 cm) and the width of the arch (0.4 cm) were noted. Volume displacement significantly increased .05 L with exercise. The foot increased in length and width, as well as volume displacement with a 3-hour bout of treadmill walking.