Comparing the effect of short foot exercise and toe curl exercise on plantar pressure during single-leg standing in individuals with flatfoot: A randomized controlled trial

IF 1.8 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-30 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106693

Misaki Suzuki , Hironobu Kuruma , Kunihiro Kato , Hiromu Kase , Hayato Fujimoto , Rento Nagashima

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Controlling flatfoot biomechanics is crucial in preventing lower limb musculoskeletal injuries. Short foot exercise (SFE) and toe curl exercise (TCE) are interventions for flatfoot; however, their effects on foot biomechanics remain inconsistent. We aimed to compare the impact of SFE and TCE on plantar pressure during single-leg standing (SLS) in individuals with flatfoot.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial recruited 34 participants with flatfoot (Foot Posture Index-6 > 7). Participants were randomly assigned to SFE or TCE groups and completed 8 weeks of exercise. Plantar pressure during SLS was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a plantar pressure sensor. The foot was divided into eight regions: heel, midfoot, medial, central, lateral metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), hallux, second toe, and 3rd–5th toes. Peak plantar pressure and contact area were analyzed using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis.

Findings

In the ITT analysis, SFE significantly increased peak plantar pressure in the medial MTPJ (p = 0.016), hallux (p < 0.001), and second toe (p = 0.004), while reducing midfoot pressure (p = 0.0012). TCE significantly increased the heel pressure (p < 0.001). The PP analysis showed similar trends, with additional increases in the lateral MTPJ pressure (p = 0.032) and contact areas of the 3rd–5th toes (p = 0.008) in the SFE group.

Interpretation

SFE increased the medial and lateral MTPJ, hallux, and toe pressure while reducing midfoot pressure. TCE increased the heel pressure. These findings suggest that SFE improves the midfoot, medial and lateral MTPJ, and toe pressure in individuals with flatfoot.

Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000049963.

查看原文本刊更多论文

比较短足运动和脚趾弯曲运动对平足患者单腿站立时足底压力的影响：一项随机对照试验。

背景：控制平足生物力学对预防下肢肌肉骨骼损伤至关重要。短足运动（SFE）和脚趾弯曲运动（TCE）是平足的干预措施；然而，它们对足部生物力学的影响仍然不一致。我们的目的是比较SFE和TCE对平足患者单腿站立（SLS）时足底压力的影响。方法：本随机对照试验招募34名扁平足患者（足部姿势指数-6 bb70）。参与者被随机分配到SFE或TCE组，并完成8周的运动。在SLS期间，使用足底压力传感器评估干预前后的足底压力。将足部分为足跟、足中、内侧、中央、外侧跖趾关节（MTPJ）、拇趾、第二趾和第三-第五趾八个区域。使用意向治疗（ITT）和方案分析（PP）分析峰值足底压力和接触面积。结果：在ITT分析中，SFE显著增加内侧MTPJ、拇趾的峰值足底压力（p = 0.016） (p)。解释：SFE增加内侧和外侧MTPJ、拇趾压力，同时降低中足压力。TCE增加了鞋跟压力。这些结果表明，SFE改善了平足患者的足中部、内侧和外侧MTPJ以及脚趾压力。临床试验注册号：UMIN000049963。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.