Heel pad thickness and athletic activity in healthy young adults: a sonographic study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the sonographic changes of heel fat pad thickness and compressibility index in healthy young adults in relation to level of athletic activity.


METHODS
One hundred ten young adults (55 women and 55 men) with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 were divided into 3 groups according to their athletic activity level: group 1, sedentary (n = 50); group 2, athletic activity <7 hours/week (n = 30); and group 3, athletic activity >or=7 hours/week (n = 30). The loaded heel pad thickness (LHPT) and unloaded heel pad thickness (ULHPT) were measured via sonography, and the heel pad compressibility index (HPCI) was calculated.


RESULTS
The mean values of ULHPT, LHPT, and HPCI in group 1 were similar to those of group 2 (p > 0.05) and group 3 (p > 0.05). The mean values of ULHPT, LHPT, and HPCI were similar in the left and right feet in the 3 groups (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between level of athletic activity and ULHPT, LHPT, or HPCI.


CONCLUSIONS
The heel pad thickness and HPCI of individuals engaging in athletic activity up to an average of 11 hours/week were similar to those of sedentary individuals.
Uzel
Murat
M
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical School of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Yorukselim mh. Hastane cd. No:32, 46050 Kahramanmaras, Turkey.
Cetinus
Ercan
E
Ekerbicer
H Cetin
HC
Karaoguz
Ahmet
A