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Recently a number of papers have been published which link the short foot exercise with improvements in chronic ankle instability .
Some have theorized that these improvements in stability are related to changes in the intrinsics and it was perhaps with this in mind that a study was carried out into intrinsic muscle status in those with ankle problems ,Fraser et al 2020 .
The study found no significant link between intrinsic muscle status ,as represented by ultrasound measurements ,and ankle instability .

So if the intrinsics are not demonstrably involved in chronic instability why would the short foot exercise help with the condition . In my opinion the answer is that the short foot exercise effectively targets the stabilizing muscles of the ankle producing a more competent ankle complex . That the short foot exercise effectively activates the tib post ,tib ant, and peroneals to strengthening levels is demonstrated by recent EMG studies in this area ( Bruening et al 2019).



Ultrasound measures of intrinsic foot muscle size and motor ...

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2 days ago - Ultrasound measures of intrinsic foot muscle size and motor activation following lateral ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability. A cross-sectional study.

 

In a paper by Bruening et al 2019 , method C below was proposed as a way of measuring toe flexor strength . I don't think it is a good method for this but it may be a very effective way of measuring the overall function of the muscles contributing to ankle stability /instability .
So you may be able to promote improved ankle function this way and measure weakness /improvements over time .
Lots of good information in this paper, Bruening .