The effects of wet heat and dry heat on the gait and feet of healthy adults

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the degree of changes in gait and feet after wet heat and dry heat exposure for 20 minutes. [Subjects] The participants of this study were 17 young adult males. The subjects were divided into a wet heat group of 9 subjects and dry heat group of 8 subjects. [Methods] Dry heat was applied for 20 min. To facilitate temperature adjustment of an electrical hot pack, to which a temperature controller was attached to the hot compress, the outer cover of the electrical pad was wrapped in a cotton towel and then rolled around the femur and the leg. As a hot compress, a constant-temperature water tank with double-boiling functionality was used for the hot pack unit. Its surface was covered with a towel twice or three times, as needed. We measured gait and feet. [Results] Left and right step time and the step width significantly increased in the wet heat group. Left foot flat to heel off significantly increased in the dry heat group. Right heel contact to foot flat significantly increased in the wet heat group. Left rearfoot pressure significantly increased in the dry heat group. [Conclusion] Wet heat affects physical functions like gait more than dry heat. However, there is no great difference between wet heat and dry heat with respect to the distribution of foot pressure. © 2014 The Society of Physical Therapy Science. Published by IPEC Inc.