Feasibility, reliability and validity of using a biofeedback device (‘Archie’) to measure dynamic foot muscle strength

Foot exercises with Archie biofeedback device Materials: The Archie is a device that has been developed to assist with practicing foot exercises. Archie device is a small platform with 3 peripheral sensors and a mid foot sensor. Data is sent from the foot sensors to a computer with a visual display of the foot placement and mid foot movement to provide feedback of the foot activity. Procedures: Over the course of one day, the Archie device will be tested for intra-rater, test re-test reliability of measuring foot arch movement, The device's output measures will be compared to other measures of foot strength or muscle size to determine its validity. The feasibility of completing the foot exercise tasks while using the device will be ascertained by survey. The intervention is a series of four foot exercise tasks: speed of foot arch lift and relax, gradual concentric arch lift, gradual eccentric arch lowering and endurance of arch lift. The participants will be directed to attempt each exercise task three consecutive times over a period of 20 minutes. Participants will repeat the four exercise tasks three times during the course of the three hour lab attendance,with a 40 minute rest between the three testing sessions. The first survey will be completed after the second practice of the exercise tasks using the sensor component of the device, with the participant blinded to feedback from the screen. The second survey will be completed after the third practice of the exercise tasks with the additional use of the biofeedback screen. The intervention will be delivered by one of the investigators who has developed the device and the foot tasks, who has research experience of a minimum of 10 years. The mode of delivery will be face to face and will be provided individually.