Association between floating toe and toe grip strength in school age children: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

[Purpose] This study investigated the association between floating toe and toe grip strength. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 635 Japanese children aged 9–11 years participated in this study. Floating toe was evaluated using footprint images, while toe grip strength was measured using a toe grip dynamometer. All 1,270 feet were classified into a floating toe group and a normal toe group according to visual evaluation of the footprint images. Intergroup differences in toe grip strength were analyzed using the unpaired t-test and logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, and Rohrer Index. [Results] There were 512 feet (40.3%) in the floating toe group. Mean toe grip strength of the feet with floating toe was significantly lower than that of normal feet (floating toe group, 12.9 ± 3.7 kg; normal toe group, 13.6 ± 4.1 kg). In addition, lower toe grip strength was associated with floating toe on logistic regression analysis after adjustment for age, gender, and Rohrer Index (odds ratio, 0.954; 95% confidence interval, 0.925–0.984). [Conclusion] This study revealed that lower toe grip strength was significantly associated with floating toe. Therefore, increasing toe grip strength may play a role in preventing floating toe in school age children.

Effects of Long-Term Use of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on the Balance, Walking, and Running of Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Previous studies have shown that toe-grip force, the so-called toe-grip strength or toe flexor strength, decreases with age [3][4][5][6] and that decreased toe-grip strength is associated with problems with balance and walking ability and the occurrence of falls in the elderly [7][8][9][10][11]. Decreased toe-grip strength has also been observed in children and is particularly related to floating toes and flat feet [12,13]. Furthermore, it has been reported that the toe-grip strength of children is related to lower limb physical activities, such as running [14,15].…”

Community-dwelling Older Individuals using Day Services: Prevalence and Associations Between Walking, Toe-grip Strength, and Foot Problems -Cross-sectional Study-

“…While xing the heel by a stopper, the grip bar was positioned using the rst proximal phalanx. Thereafter, the participants gripped the bar with the greatest possible force for approximately 3 seconds using their toes [29,30], and then the machine displayed the force meter. We also used a thermometer to check skin temperature of the lower extremity.…”

Athletic event-specific characteristics in floating toes during the static standing posture

“…The literature about the incidence of floating toes in children and younger adults by nature are reported mostly by Japanese researchers [1][2][3] , although there are some reports from the other countries as an aftereffect of Weil osteotomy in adults 4,5) . Presently, it is not known whether floating toes, except for the after effect of surgery, are the Japanese specific, inherited or an effect of lifestyle or not 6) . It was reported the incidence of floating toes in Japanese infants in 2000 was about 10 times that of the incidence in 1980 7) and, over 70% of Japanese 3 to 6 years old infants were also reported to have at least one "floating toe" 8) .…”

“…Some researchers had reported the dysfunctions concerning floating toes 10,11) . For example, lowered toe grip strength in floating toes children compared with normal toes children are reported 6) . Similarly, a decrease in toe grip strength is thought to be one of the factors causing floating toes in adults 13) .…”

“…Similarly, a decrease in toe grip strength is thought to be one of the factors causing floating toes in adults 13) . Furthermore, the ability to keep stabilize the standing posture would be weakened in floating toes because it is necessary to grasp the ground surface with their toes during the standing posture 6) .…”