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Morphologic Relationship between Toe Exercises and the Medial Longitudinal Arch

Takashi Shiroshita

Introduction: This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to investigate the relationship between toe exercises and morphological variations of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot.

Methods: We enrolled 39 participants with a mean age of 20.5 ± 0.10 years and weight of 57.9 ± 1.6 kg and examined 78 feet. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 groups as: the Towel Curl Exercise group (TCE), Great Toe Exercise group (GTE), Lesser Toe Exercise group (LTE), or Control Group (CG). Subjects in the CG performed no exercises and the other groups performed exercises for 5 weeks. Groups were compared using the Modified Navicular Drop Test (MNDT) value, Arch Height Index (AHI), and range of Dorsiflexion (DF).

Results: In the GTE group, no significant differences post exercise were noted. In the LTE group, the MNDT value decreased significantly from 5.03 mm to 3.13 mm (p<0.01). In the TCE group, the MNDT value did not differ significantly. The AHI and DF (from 2.46 to 3.10; p<0.01 and from 9.7° to 14.1°; p<0.10, respectively) significantly increased in the TCE group.

Conclusion: Subjects in the GTE did not show an MLA response. Subjects in the LTE showed a significant MLA response.