Differences in Electromyographic Activities and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters between General and Developed Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar

Abstract

The present study was aimed at comparing the muscle activities and gait parameters between the toe-grip bar insoles and general insoles during walking using randomized crossover design. Twelve healthy men participated in this study. Temporal and spatial gait parameters and electromyography (EMG) results were concurrently collected while the subjects walked along an 8 m walkway with the developed and general insoles. Developed insoles provide a three-dimensional mesh structure at the toe portion and a convex bulging structure (toe-grip bar) near the center of the proximal phalanx of the first to fifth toe. The linear mixed model was used to estimate the toe-grip bar insole effect. The results showed that there were no sequence or period effects for any of the examined parameters. During the stance phase, those wearing the developed insoles had significantly higher %IEMG for the TA, GM, and GL than those wearing the general insoles (TA: 5.03%IEMG, p = 0.005 ; GM: 4.65%IEMG, p = 0.046 ; and GL: 6.50%IEMG, p = 0.008 ). During the swing phase, those wearing the developed insoles had significantly higher activity for only the TA compared to those wearing the general insoles (5.54%IEMG, p = 0.011 ). With respect to gait parameters, those wearing the developed insoles had greater step length (2.81 cm, p = 0.038 ), longer stance time (0.03 s, p = 0.001 ), and shorter swing time (−0.02 s, p = 0.003 ) compared to those wearing the general insoles. The results suggest that walking with toe-grip bar insoles contributes to increased crural muscle activity and step length.

Effects of Insole with Toe-Grip Bar on Barefoot Balance and Walking Function in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In the terminal stance of walking, the toes perceive the toe-grip bar and the reflex toe-grip movement increases. Previous studies have reported that exercise of toe-grip movement is effective for increasing toe-grip strength in older people [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Our results suggest that toe-grip movement occurs subconsciously when the individual walks, resulting in improved balance and walking function related to toe-grip strength [ 19 , 20 , 39 , 44 ].…”

“…The participants belonging to the intervention group wore shoes with insoles having a toe-grip bar [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. The middle and rear parts of the insole were made of synthetic resin foam and the toe section was made from synthetic fibers with high repulsion properties (known as three-dimensional mesh).…”

“…The walking parameters (walking speed (cm/s), step length (cm), stance time (s), and swing time (s)) were assessed using a WalkWay device (WalkWay MW-1000; Anima Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) [ 23 , 26 ], after which the temporal and spatial gait parameters were calculated based on the foot pressure distribution. It consists of a 2400 × 800 × 5 mm (length × width × thickness) mat, a sensor with a spatial resolution of 10 × 10 mm, and 14,400 measurement points.…”

“…In recent years, insoles with a toe-grip bar have been developed to improve toe-grip strength by walking, and they have proven to be effective [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. These insoles can improve the toe-grip strength and toe flexibility, increase lower limb muscle activity during walking, and change spatiotemporal gait parameters in healthy individuals [ 22 , 23 ]. They can also improve the toe-grip strength and balance in older adults [ 24 ].…”

“…However, if this training is not performed regularly, it may be difficult to maintain the beneficial effects. As a solution to this problem, insoles with a toe-grip bar have been developed recently to improve the toe-grip strength while the individual is walking [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”