Improving foot and ankle function to help older adults walk better
A framework for feasible translation to enhance foot and ankle function in aging and mobility
Finding ways to make the foot and ankle work more efficiently so older adults can walk farther and with less effort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11418118 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you take part, researchers will measure how your foot and ankle produce power during a variety of everyday walking tasks and record how much energy your body uses. They will compare results from older adults with younger adults and use biomechanical and bioenergetic computer models to pinpoint where energy is being lost. The study focuses on interactions among active muscles, passive tissues, and foot structure rather than just the calf muscles. The goal is to use these findings to guide new supports, exercises, or devices that could help people walk easier and farther.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults who notice slower walking, increased effort when walking, or difficulty with mobility and balance would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without walking or ankle/foot problems or those whose mobility issues are caused primarily by unrelated neurological diseases (for example, advanced stroke or Parkinson's) may not benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new therapies, orthotics, or exercise programs that improve walking speed, reduce fatigue, and help older adults stay independent.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research mostly focused on calf muscles with mixed results, and focusing on the foot's structural and passive contributions is a newer approach with limited clinical trial evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Franz, Jason R — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Franz, Jason R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.