The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether different foot-strengthening strategies can improve foot strength, balance, walking ability, and fall-related outcomes in middle-aged and older adults (ages 45-85 years).
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does foot strength change from baseline after an 8-week foot-strengthening intervention? * Do balance, gait, and physical function improve following different foot-strengthening approaches?
Researchers will compare minimalist footwear use, a foot exercise program, a foot-strengthening device (ToePro), and no intervention to see if these interventions lead to greater improvements in foot strength, balance, gait, and fall-related outcomes than no intervention.
Participants will:
* Complete baseline and post-intervention laboratory testing of foot strength, balance, physical function, and walking gait * Perform foot strengthening exercises or wear minimalist footwear (if applicable) five days/week for eight weeks * Complete daily logs to record intervention compliance
Healthy adults: age 45-85 years old
Able to walk without an assistive walking device or lower limb prosthesis
No history of foot or ankle surgery
No history of regular minimalist footwear use
Deemed unfit for physical activity by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Current or history of an unresolved musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular, pulmonary/respiratory, metabolic, renal condition, disease, or problem
Use of orthotics in daily (i.e., non-athletic) footwear
Pregnancy