Effect of Gender on Mechanical Properties of the Plantar Fascia and Heel Fat Pad.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to investigate the plantar fascia and heel fat pad stiffness and thickness parameters in females and compare these values with those of males.


METHODS
This study was carried out in 60 healthy sedentary participants (30 female, 30 male) between the ages of 19 and 50 years. Shear wave velocity (SWV) and thickness of the plantar fascia and heel fat pad were measured with an ultrasonography device.


RESULTS
Males had a higher plantar fascia ( P = .037) and heel fat pad ( P = .001) thickness compared with females, but SWV of the plantar fascia ( P = .673), heel fat pad microchamber layer ( P = .240), and heel fat pad macrochamber layer ( P = .636) were similar in both groups. Body mass had a strong correlation with the plantar fascia ( r = 0.64, P < .001) and heel fat pad thickness ( r = 0.68, P < .001). Height had a moderate correlation with the plantar fascia ( r = 0.44, P < .001) and heel fat pad thickness ( r = 0.42, P = .001).


CONCLUSION
Plantar fascia and heel fat pad stiffness were similar in both genders; however, females had a lower plantar fascia and heel fat pad thickness compared with males. Correlation analysis results suggest that higher plantar fascia and heel fat pad thickness in males may be related to higher body mass and height.


LEVELS OF EVIDENCE
Level III: Retrospective comparative study.
['Taş|Serkan|S|']
D000273:Adipose Tissue D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena D005205:Fascia D005260:Female D005528:Foot D064368:Healthy Volunteers D006365:Heel D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D012016:Reference Values D012189:Retrospective Studies D012737:Sex Factors D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler D055815:Young Adult
gender plantar fascia heel fat pad stiffness thickness