[RESEARCH] Toe Flexor Strength and Balance

Toe Strength and Balance in 60’s +

INTRO:
The substantial role of large muscle groups in balance is recognized, such as:

Trunk
Hips
Knees
Ankles

However, significance of the toe flexor muscles is less well understood. 10 toe flexor muscles contribute to motion of the foot.

Extrinsics:

Flexor digitorum longus
Flexor hallucis longus

Intrinsics:

Abductor hallucis
Adductor hallucis
Flexor hallucis brevis
Flexor digitorum brevis
Flexor digiti minimi brevis
Lumbricals
Interossei
Quadratus plantae

Poor toe flexor muscle strength has been implicated in:

Poor postural balance
Injury risk

Quinlan et al. (2020), systematically reviewed the research to establish if toe flexor strength related to static and dynamic balance.

RESULTS:
9 studies with over 2200 participants met inclusion criteria. In each study, participants were over sixty years of age, and over 73 % of them were female. All studies showed direct, proportional, and significant correlations between toe flexor strength and postural balance.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Toe flexor strength contributes to improved postural balance for people over the age of 60. Including specific Toe Flexor Exercises into workouts can have a positive effect on balance

LIMITATIONS:

No study was found/included for a younger population group
Primarily observational studies

SOURCE:
Quinlan et al. 2020. The evidence for improving balance by strengthening the toe flexor muscles: A systematic review. Gait and Posture, 81, pp. 55-56.

Dalton Urrutia, MSc PT

Dalton is a Physical Therapist from Oregon, currently living and running the performance physiotherapy clinic he founded in London for Grapplers and Strength & Conditioning athletes. Dalton runs the popular instagram account @physicaltherapyresearch, where he posts easy summaries of current and relevant research on health, fitness, and rehab topics.

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