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Step Strong. Stay Balanced. Join Our Foot Strength Study!
A
Allison Gruber
Primary Investigator
Recruiting
45 years - 85 years
All
1 Location
Brief description of study
Foot strength is important for balance and how we move. Our study is looking at the relationships between foot strength, balance, gait, and footwear in people as they age. This information will help us understand whether footwear can be prescribed to help improve foot strength, balance, and fall risk in aging populations.
The study involves 2 visits to IU Bloomington campus in Bloomington, IN.
You may be eligible to participate in this study if you are between the ages of 45-85, you do not have any foot or ankle issues (do not require orthotics in your daily footwear), and you do not use an assistive walking device or lower limb prosthesis.
Detailed description of study
You will attend 2 study visits (1.5-2.5 hrs each) at the IU Biomechanics Lab on IU Bloomington campus.
- You will be randomly assigned to wear minimalist shoes, perform one of two foot exercise protocols, or be part of the control group (i.e., no intervention) during your first lab visit.
- Each visit will include surveys, foot shape and strength measurements, balance and functional movement testing, and a walking gait analysis.
- Between lab visits, you will be asked to do foot-strengthening activities (non-control groups only), either by wearing minimalist shoes or performing foot exercises, for 8 weeks and log your activities while wearing a Fitbit.
- Six months after your second lab visit you will be asked to complete a brief (10-15 min) follow-up survey via email.
- You will receive compensation for completing the study requirements.
Please note that this screening form serves two different studies; which study you are enrolled in depends on the condition that you are assigned. Both study protocols are identical except for the intervention conditions.
Eligibility of study
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:
- Conditions: Healthy
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Age: 45 years - 85 years
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Gender: All
Inclusion Criteria:
- Between the ages of 45-85
- Have a BMI <= 40
- Can walk without assistance
- Able to walk without an assistive walking device or lower limb prosthesis
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of foot or ankle surgery
- History of regular minimalist footwear use
- Foot or ankle issues for which study activities may be contraindicated
- Require orthotics in daily footwear
- Pregnancy
Updated on
01 Feb 2026.
Study ID: 23946, 26834
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