Gastrocnemius muscle thickness and its influence on physical performance among subjects with sarcopenia and plantar fasciitis. An ultrasonographic analysis

Background. Plantar fasciitis (PF) is a frequent source of heel pain, caused by repetitive strain, micro-tears, and inflammation of the plantar fascia. Age-related loss of gastrocnemius muscle thickness (GMT) and its functional impact in individuals with PF remains underexplored. Aim. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of gastrocnemius muscle thickness (GMT) on physical performance in sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic individuals with PF. Methodology. Patients with heel pain were assessed for PF using the Windlass test. Those who tested positive underwent sarcopenia screening via the SARC-CalF questionnaire, followed by ultrasound imaging to measure medial GMT. Gait speed was measured using the 4-Meter Walk Test (4MWT), and the data were analyzed. Results. The sarcopenic group exhibited significantly reduced GMT and slower gait speed compared to the non-sarcopenic group (p < 0.001). A negative correlation was found between muscle thickness and gait speed, indicating that decreased GMT adversely affects physical performance. Conclusion. Gastrocnemius muscle thickness has minimal influence on physical performance in sarcopenic individuals and moderate influence in non-sarcopenic individuals with PF.