EFFECTS OF HIGH LOAD STRENGTH TRAINING WITH AND WITHOUT TISSUE SPECIFIC PLANTAR FASCIA STRETCHING EXERCISE ON PAIN, RANGE OF MOTION AND FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY AMONG ATHLETES WITH PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Background: Plantar fasciitis is a common overuse injury characterized by debilitating heel pain and reduced functional capacity, frequently affecting athletes due to repetitive stress on the plantar fascia. This condition significantly impairs daily activities and athletic performance, necessitating effective interventions. High-load strength training (HLST) has shown promise in managing plantar fasciitis, with the potential for improved outcomes when combined with tissue-specific plantar fascia stretching exercises. This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of HLST with and without stretching exercises. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of high-load strength training with and without tissue-specific plantar fascia stretching exercises in reducing pain, improving range of motion, and alleviating functional disability among athletes with plantar fasciitis. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 34 male athletes aged 20–35 years, divided equally into two groups. Group A received HLST combined with tissue-specific plantar fascia stretching exercises, while Group B underwent HLST alone. The study was conducted over six months, from March 2024 to September 2024, at a sports club in Mirpur, AJK. Participants were assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Functional Foot Index (FFI), and goniometer. Pre- and post-intervention measurements were analyzed using SPSS Version 25, with paired and independent sample t-tests used to determine statistical significance. Results: Post-treatment NPRS values significantly improved in Group A (4.235 ± 0.903, p=0.029) compared to Group B (4.941 ± 0.899, p=0.039). Similarly, FFI values improved more significantly in Group A (66.705 ± 7.235, p=0.015) than in Group B (62.764 ± 4.115, p=0.004). Ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were also better in Group A, with dorsiflexion improving from 17.529 ± 1.328 to 23.411 ± 2.032 (p=0.003), and plantar flexion increasing from 35.941 ± 2.221 to 46.117 ± 2.471 (p=0.002). Conclusion: Both high-load strength training alone and in combination with stretching exercises effectively reduced pain, improved range of motion, and alleviated functional disability in athletes with plantar fasciitis. However, HLST combined with tissue-specific plantar fascia stretching was significantly more effective, offering superior outcomes across all measures.