Association between Toe Grip Strength and Physical Performance Among Japanese Preschool Children

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association between Toe grip strength (TGS) and physical performance among preschool children in Japan.Methods: TGS was evaluated in 338 preschool children (178 boys, 160 girls), 4-6 years of age. The following physical performance tests were measured: hand grip strength (HGS), 25-m sprint run, 5-m shuttle run, standing long jump, and tennis ball throw, were measured. Participants were divided into five age groups of 6-month intervals, from the early 4-years-old group (48-53 months) to the early 6-years-old group (72-78 months). TGS was analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance, with a post-hoc test to assess between-sex differences and age-related changes. Associations between TGS and descriptive characteristics and physical performance were assessed using multivariate linear regression analysis.Results: TGS increased with development, being significantly greater in the early 6-years-old group than in the early and late 4-years-old group and early 5-years-old group. There was no between-sex difference in TGS within the same age group. TGS was associated with age in months and weight, but not with sex and height. TGS was also significantly associated with the 25-m sprint run, 5-m shuttle run and standing long jump performance, regardless of age, anthropometrics and HGS, in both sex, with the exception of the 5-m shuttle run in boys.Conclusion: TGS increased with age and was associated with enhanced lower-limb physical performance among preschool children and could provide a useful predictor of physical performance in this population.

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

“…Moreover, a significant association between toe-grip strength and 50 m running time of elementary school children was reported [14]. Additionally, a significant association between toe-grip strength and 25 m running time of preschool children was reported [15]. Hence, it may be inferred that the increased toe-grip strength improved the 25 m running time of preschool children in this study.…”

“…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]. Therefore, it can be deduced that improving the toe-grip strength is important for maintaining and improving the health of children and the elderly.…”