Effect of intrinsic foot muscles training on foot function and dynamic postural balance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Wei, Zhen; Zeng, Ziwei; Liu, Min; Wang, Lin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0266525

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Echoing these results, in the present study the resultant MTP joint moment profile was increased, and the joint angle profile was not, therefore the quasi-stiffness of the MTP joint would indeed have increased in the added mass compared with the control condition. While it cannot be confirmed in the present study, the results align with growing evidence that the muscles of the foot are capable of modulating its rigidity [ 38 – 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Foot arch rigidity in walking: In vivo evidence for the contribution of metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion

Davis

Challis

2022

PLoS ONE

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Human foot rigidity is thought to provide a more effective lever with which to push against the ground. Tension of the plantar aponeurosis (PA) with increased metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint dorsiflexion (i.e., the windlass mechanism) has been credited with providing some of this rigidity. However, there is growing debate on whether MTP joint dorsiflexion indeed increases arch rigidity. Further, the arch can be made more rigid independent of additional MTP joint dorsiflexion (e.g., when walking with added mass). The purpose of the present study was therefore to compare the influence of increased MTP joint dorsiflexion with the influence of added mass on the quasi-stiffness of the midtarsal joint in walking. Participants walked with a rounded wedge under their toes to increase MTP joint dorsiflexion in the toe-wedge condition, and wore a weighted vest with 15% of their body mass in the added mass condition. Plantar aponeurosis behavior, foot joint energetics, and midtarsal joint quasi-stiffness were compared between conditions to analyze the mechanisms and effects of arch rigidity differences. Midtarsal joint quasi-stiffness was increased in the toe-wedge and added mass conditions compared with the control condition (both p < 0.001). In the toe-wedge condition, the time-series profiles of MTP joint dorsiflexion and PA strain and force were increased throughout mid-stance (p < 0.001). When walking with added mass, the time-series profile of force in the PA did not increase compared with the control condition although quasi-stiffness did, supporting previous evidence that the rigidity of the foot can be actively modulated. Finally, more mechanical power was absorbed (p = 0.006) and negative work was performed (p < 0.001) by structures distal to the rearfoot in the toe-wedge condition, a condition which displayed increased midtarsal joint quasi-stiffness. This indicates that a more rigid foot may not necessarily transfer power to the ground more efficiently.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Foot arch rigidity in walking: In vivo evidence for the contribution of metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion

Davis

Challis

2022

PLoS ONE

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“…Dynamic balance improved in all directions in the FG and FHG at both 4 weeks and 8 weeks in the present study, consistent with the recent meta-analysis that also demonstrated the benefit of intrinsic foot exercise on dynamic postural balance (Wei et al, 2022). The addition of tibialis posterior exercises to short foot exercises for the intrinsic foot muscles might result in greater improvements in dynamic balance, as reported in a previous study that added tibialis posterior exercises to the toe curl exercise and showed improved dynamic balance in all directions when compared to performing the toe curl exercise alone (Alam et al, 2019).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Gluteus medius muscle strengthening exercise effects on medial longitudinal arch height in individuals with flexible flatfoot: a randomized controlled trial

Engkananuwat¹,

Kanlayanaphotporn²

2023

J Exerc Rehabil

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This study aimed to compare the effects of 8 weeks of foot plus hip exercise to foot exercise alone on medial longitudinal arch (MLA) parameters; navicular drop (ND), arch height index (AHI), plantar pressure, static balance, and dynamic balance were measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. A total of 52 healthy participants with bilateral flatfoot were randomly assigned into foot exercise (n= 26) and foot plus hip exercise (n= 26) group. At 4 weeks, the foot plus hip exercise group showed significantly less ND (P= 0.002), plantar pressure at the medial forefoot (P= 0.002), and mediolateral displacement (P= 0.001) while showing a greater AHI (P= 0.019) than the foot exercise group. At 8 weeks, there was also significantly less plantar pressure at the medial hindfoot (P= 0.017) and less anteroposterior displacement (P= 0.002) in the foot plus hip exercise group than in the foot exercise group. No significant differences between groups were found in dynamic balance. The addition of gluteus medius muscle strengthening exercise to foot exercise was more effective in supporting the MLA than performing foot exercise alone.

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“…These muscles play important roles in foot posture and function. Previous studies 10 , 34 – 36 reported that alterations in the function of the intrinsic foot muscles owing to changes in foot posture may lead to variation in foot posture and function. Therefore, further studies on intrinsic foot muscles are needed to clarify the results of the present study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Muscle strength and foot pressure vary depending on the type of foot pain

Lee,

Hwang,

Park

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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This study compared muscle strength and foot pressure among patients with metatarsalgia, patients with plantar fasciitis, and healthy controls. A total of 31 patients with foot pain (14 metatarsalgia and 17 plantar fasciitis) and 29 healthy controls participated in the study. The strengths of the plantar flexor and hip muscles were measured using isokinetic and handheld dynamometers, respectively. Foot pressure parameters, including the pressure–time integral (PTI) and foot arch index (AI), were assessed using pedobarography. Compared with the healthy control group, plantar flexor strength was significantly reduced in the affected feet of the metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis groups (F = 0.083, all p < 0.001); however, hip strength was significantly decreased only in the affected feet of the metatarsalgia group (F = 20.900, p < 0.001). Plantar flexor (p < 0.001) and hip (p = 0.004) strength were significantly lower in the metatarsalgia group than in the plantar fasciitis group. The PTI was lower in the forefeet of the affected feet in the metatarsalgia (p < 0.001) and plantar fasciitis (p = 0.004) groups. Foot AI (p < 0.001) was significantly reduced only in the metatarsalgia group. These results suggest the need to consider the evaluation of muscle strength and foot pressure in both feet for the diagnosis and treatment of foot pain.

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Effect of intrinsic foot muscles training on foot function and dynamic postural balance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cited by 16 publications

References 44 publications

Foot arch rigidity in walking: In vivo evidence for the contribution of metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion

Foot arch rigidity in walking: In vivo evidence for the contribution of metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion

Gluteus medius muscle strengthening exercise effects on medial longitudinal arch height in individuals with flexible flatfoot: a randomized controlled trial

Muscle strength and foot pressure vary depending on the type of foot pain

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