Does the short foot exercise improve arch mobility and hence foot function

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The short foot exercise is thought to strengthen the intrinsic foot muscles and likely strengths other foot muscles, but are some of the exercises beneficial effects caused by improved mobility of the cuneonavicular joint?

The short foot exercise involves an arch recoil mechanism whereby the ball of the foot and the heel are moved closer together, arching the midfoot. Perhaps this action improves mobility in the cuneonavicular joint over time. Seems likely IMO.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 30 May 2023
Sec. Biomechanics
Volume 11 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1155439
Mobility of the human foot’s medial arch helps enable upright bipedal locomotion

"We show that regardless of intraspecific differences in medial arch height, arch recoil enables a longer contact time and favorable propulsive conditions at the ankle for walking upright on an extended leg. The generally overlooked navicular-medial cuneiform joint is primarily responsible for arch recoil in human arches. The mechanism through which arch recoil enables an upright ankle posture may have helped drive the evolution of the longitudinal arch after our last common ancestor with chimpanzees, who lack arch plantarflexion mobility during push-off. Future morphological investigations of the navicular-medial cuneiform joint will likely provide new interpretations of the fossil record. Our work further suggests that enabling medial arch recoil in footwear and surgical interventions may be critical for maintaining the ankle’s natural propulsive ability."

 

The most commonly used strengthening exercise was found to be the short foot exercise in this review.
"Conclusion
IFM strengthening exercises change MLA mobility in the medium-term (8 weeks) and improve the dynamic balance of healthy individuals in short- (4 weeks) and medium-terms."


Effects of intrinsic foot muscle strengthening on the medial longitudinal arch mobility and function: A systematic review

Thiago Melo Malheiros de Souza ∙ Vanessa Gonçalves de Oliveira Coutinho ∙ Vitor Daniel Tessutti ∙ Nara Rejane Cruz de Oliveira ∙ Liu Chiao Yi Send email to liu.chiao@unifesp.br

 

During gait the toes dorsiflex and the plantar fascia is wound around the MTPJS as part of the windlass mechanism. This causes the heads of the metatarsals to become closer to the heel and raises the arch of the foot. But what if the medial longitudinal arch has poor mobility at the crucial cuneonavicular joint, inhibiting arch raising . Would this limit toe dorsiflexion and great toe flexion in particular?

If the short foot exercise can improve cuneonavicular mobility, and it is an if, then one might expect to see improvements in hallux dorsiflexion when the short foot exercise is used to improve limited hallux mobility. Any evidence that this is the case ?

Below is a link to a video article that suggests the short foot exercise can help with limited hallux dorsflexion. The authors seem to feel that it is the strengthening effect of the doming exercise that helps produce positive results but perhaps improved arch mobility is also a factor.

Non-Operative Management of Symptomatic Hallux Limitus: A Novel Approach of Foot Core Stabilization and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Tom Reilly 1, Lindsay Wasserman 1, Adam S Tenforde 1 2
Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 40309336
• PMCID: PMC11911532
• DOI: 10.1177/26350254221089354

Abstract

Background: This video presents assessment and management of hallux limitus using intrinsic foot strengthening and joint mobilization techniques with combination of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).
Indications: Clinical history includes pain with walking, running, jumping, or loaded plantarflexion localized to the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. Indications for our treatment approach of hallux limitus include pain localized to the first MTP joint, corresponding lack of active range of motion/passive range of motion, and reduced foot/ankle strength often with joint space narrowing on imaging.
Technique description: Our program uses the principle of foot core exercises that enhance intrinsic muscles of the foot to assist in medial longitudinal arch stabilization and hallux strengthening. Progression of these exercises can be done in weight-bearing and impact activities specific to patient goals. In addition to these foot intrinsic exercises, calf raises should be incorporated to strengthen the gastroc-soleus complex to both improve plantar foot strength and facilitate extension of the first MTP joint. Manual therapy techniques reduce the rigidity of the first MTP joint and restore appropriate medial-lateral and plantar-dorsal balance. With severe limitations in mobility or pain limitations, ESWT can be incorporated to treat the joint and surrounding soft tissue restrictions.
Results: Increased first MTP extension is observed. Reduced symptoms of first MTP joint pain with activity allow patients to return to walking and other physical activities with improved comfort. Complications are rare. Pain over the first MTP joint is expected during ESWT. Rarely, irritation of the plantar components of the first MTP joint, including the tibial and fibular sesamoid bones, may occur.
Discussion/conclusion: Non-surgical management of hallux limitus may improve using the described technique of intrinsic foot strengthening with focus on stabilization of the medial longitudinal arch and strategies of improved mobility of the first MTP joint. Adding ESWT may address joint limitations and facilitate gains in exercise and mobility.