Isometric functioning of the extrinsic toe flexors during gait

NewsBot · Jun 6, 2013

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Experimental evidence supporting isometric functioning of the extrinsic toe flexors during gait.
Hofmann CL, Okita N, Sharkey NA.
Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2013 Jun 1.

BACKGROUND:
The extrinsic toe flexors, flexor hallucis longus and flexor digitorum longus, play an important role in stabilizing the longitudinal arch and supporting high forefoot loads during the stance phase of gait. It was hypothesized that these muscles function isometrically during stance, a strategy thought to provide efficient energy transfer across adjoining body segments, but one for which there is little direct experimental evidence in vivo or in situ.

METHODS:
Eight lower extremity cadavers were loaded into a robotic apparatus that simulates the kinematics and extrinsic muscle activity of the foot and distal tibia during the stance phase of gait. Instantaneous tendon excursions and forces of the extrinsic toe flexors, as well as plantar pressure distributions during stance, were measured under two muscle control strategies: (1) force feedback control, where tendon forces were matched to forces predicted from normal electromyographic patterns and (2) isometric displacement control, where the representative myotendinous junction was held in a constant location.

RESULTS:
Tendon excursions of the flexor hallucis longus (7.18 (1.75)mm) and flexor digitorum longus (6.32 (1.74)mm) under force feedback control were small relative to optimal muscle fiber length (13.6% and 14.2%, respectively). Instantaneous tendon forces and plantar pressure variables were not different (P=0.112-0.912) between the two different muscle control strategies for either muscle.

INTERPRETATION:
These findings suggest that the extrinsic toe flexors function isometrically during the stance phase of gait in vivo.
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Athol Thomson · Jun 6, 2013

NewsBot said: ↑

Experimental evidence supporting isometric functioning of the extrinsic toe flexors during gait.
Hofmann CL, Okita N, Sharkey NA.
Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2013 Jun 1.
Click to expand...

Interesting.....This makes sense for walking but maybe not for other tasks like jumping.

The paper below is a great summary of how the triceps surae can function isometrically to allow the stretch and recoil of the Achilles tendon when walking. Work done by tendons is less metabolically expensive than work done by muscles. But the muscles must generate adequate isometric force to allow the tendon to operate in this springy manner!

http://jeb.biologists.org/content/214/3/353.full.pdf

Admin2 · Jun 8, 2013

Related Threads:
Other threads tagged with muscle function
The potential of toe flexor muscles to enhance performance
Isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait

Sicknote · Jun 8, 2013

NewsBot said: ↑

INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that the extrinsic toe flexors function isometrically during the stance phase of gait in vivo.
Click to expand...

So I take it when considering exercise selection, you should favour isometric exercises as opposed to dynamic?.

Athol Thomson said: ↑

Interesting.....This makes sense for walking but maybe not for other tasks like jumping.

The paper below is a great summary of how the triceps surae can function isometrically to allow the stretch and recoil of the Achilles tendon when walking. Work done by tendons is less metabolically expensive than work done by muscles.
Click to expand...

From what I gather the tendons do very little when walking, it's only when one starts to run/sprint. Upto 6-7 m/s the contractile components alone are responsible for power output of muscle. Above (7-10.4 m/s+, the contractile components that are responsible for power output of energy is stored in the elastic elements.

Athol Thomson said: ↑

But the muscles must generate adequate isometric force to allow the tendon to operate in this springy manner!
Click to expand...

What happens if the tendons are overly stiff?.

NewsBot · Nov 2, 2015

Adding adaptable toe stiffness affects energetic efficiency and dynamic behaviors of bipedal walking.
Sun S et al
J Theor Biol. 2015 Oct 28

In human walking, toes play an important role in supporting the body and controlling the forward motion. These functions are achieved by muscles and tendons around toe joints. To further understand the importance of toe and how toe muscle functions affect the locomotion, we employ a simple bipedal walking model with compliant joints. The ankle joints and toe joints are modeled as torsional springs and the actuation patterns are similar to that of normal human walking. Experimental results show that adding adaptable compliant toe joints could benefit the stability and energy efficiency. By generating plantar flexion moment after heel-off, the toes contribute to stabilize the body and control the forward motion. In addition, multi-joint foot structure could improve the energy efficiency by reducing the energy consumption of ankle joints. A proper toe actuation pattern could result in a proper toe dorsiflexion and reduce the maximal ankle plantar flexion, leading to a smoother and more efficient locomotion.
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NewsBot · Aug 20, 2025

Medial longitudinal arch variations and extrinsic foot muscle elasticity: Analysis of mobile, neutral, and rigid arch mobilities
David J Kempfert et al
Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2025 Apr:124:106505.

Background: The mobility of the medial longitudinal arch contributes to foot function by accommodating to varying loads during dynamic weight-bearing activities. Physiologically, an external load, or stress, causes deformation in response to the application of load. Elasticity measures may offer insight into how load is distributed amongst synergistic muscles of the foot. The study's objective was to compare elasticity of extrinsic foot muscles across different categories of medial longitudinal arch mobility.

Methods: In this within- and between-subjects exploratory design, shear wave elastography was used to measure elasticity of the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneal longus, and peroneal brevis in a non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing condition. Participants (N = 109) were classified into mobile, neutral, and rigid arch categories using the Arch Height Index Measurement System.

Findings: In non-weight-bearing, a significant interaction (p = 0.049) revealed elasticity of the tibialis posterior was significantly (p = 0.003, d = 0.90) greater in the rigid arch group when compared to the mobile arch group. In weight-bearing, a significant main effect (p = ≤0.001) for elasticity revealed all muscles, except the tibialis anterior and peroneal brevis comparison, were significantly (p = ≤0.001) different from one another (d = 0.75-3.09).

Interpretation: This study presents a new approach to clinical measures of muscle elasticity using shear wave elastography. The findings offer valuable insight into the mechanical properties of extrinsic foot muscle elasticity across medial longitudinal arch mobility categories and the potential load sharing between synergistic muscles. Results showed elasticity of the tibialis posterior differed between mobile and rigid arches. This information may help inform future research in biomechanics and rehabilitation.
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NewsBot · Jun 13, 2026 at 12:28 AM

Effects of tibialis anterior contraction on the medial longitudinal arch and hallux valgus angle: A functional anatomical perspective
Naoki Aizu et al
PLoS One. 2026 Jun 12;21(6):e0350830.

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle contraction on the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) and hallux valgus (HV) angle, primarily focusing on the potential functional role of the TA in foot alignment. Twenty-five healthy adults (mean age: 20.7 ± 1.0 years) participated. Electrical stimulation was applied to the TA without ankle dorsiflexion. A triaxial accelerometer was attached to the skin over the navicular bone, and electrogoniometers were placed over the interphalangeal joints of the hallux and ankle. The navicular displacement was calculated through double integration of the acceleration data. Contraction of the TA caused navicular displacement in the supination direction (upward, posterior, and medial), suggesting a temporary elevation of the MLA. The hallux showed an average varus shift of 1.36°; the shift was observed in 24 of 25 participants (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between upward displacement of the navicular bone and the extent of varus change in the HV angle (r = 0.463, p = 0.020). Additionally, a greater initial HV angle was associated with a larger varus shift in the hallux after TA contraction (r = 0.433, p = 0.030). No significant correlations were observed between the HV angle change and ankle dorsiflexion, suggesting that the medial hallux shift may result from structural changes in the MLA rather than isolated joint motion. These findings provide novel evidence that TA contractions can elevate the MLA and induce varus displacement of the hallux. These findings further suggest that the TA contributes to foot biomechanics not only as an isolated muscle but also as part of a coordinated muscle system involved in arch dynamics and toe alignment. This suggests the potential clinical applications of TA activation in noninvasive interventions for mild-to-moderate HV, such as exercise therapy or neuromuscular electrical stimulation.
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scotfoot · Jun 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM

NewsBot said: ↑

Effects of tibialis anterior contraction on the medial longitudinal arch and hallux valgus angle: A functional anatomical perspective
Naoki Aizu et al
PLoS One. 2026 Jun 12;21(6):e0350830.
Click to expand...

Useful paper. The short foot exercise ( also called doming by some) has been a staple for foot strengthening for some years.

Research has clearly demonstrated that the tibialis anterior, and peroneal muscles are highly active during the exercise and not just the intrinsic foot muscles. That is to say it is an exercise where the arch is lifted by coordinated contraction of several muscles groups . So how do you teach it? IMO you can most easily teach the short foot exercise in 2 parts . Works like a charm . Here is a link to a video of just this . Note, you can't strengthen the intrinsics without generating a plantarflexing torque at the toes .Fact .
The video is 10 seconds long .

With subject in a seated position-
1 have subject lift front of foot up with heel still on ground
2 with foot still raised get them to lower toes to ground hinging around the MTPJ
3 repeat x4 4 as subject to run actions together Bingo ,basic doming /short foot exercise.

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com › watch
Teaching the doming exercise . - YouTube

There is an easy way of teaching the doming exercises that subjects tend to pick up in 30-60 seconds.

Isometric functioning of the extrinsic toe flexors during gait

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scotfoot Well-Known Member

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Relation between the ankle joint angle and the maximum isometric force of the toe flexor muscles

Is the short foot exercise primarily an isometric exercise ?

Discharge properties of abductor hallucis before, during and after an isometric fatigue task.

Isometric calf raises for achilles teninopathy (as opposed to eccentric heel drop stretches)

Isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait

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Isometric functioning of the extrinsic toe flexors during gait

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Athol Thomson Active Member

Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

Sicknote Active Member

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

scotfoot Well-Known Member

Ankle Isometric Plantar Flexion Strength Test

Immediate and Short-Term Effects of Short- and Long-Duration Isometric Contractions in Patellar Tend

Relation between the ankle joint angle and the maximum isometric force of the toe flexor muscles

Is the short foot exercise primarily an isometric exercise ?

Discharge properties of abductor hallucis before, during and after an isometric fatigue task.

Isometric calf raises for achilles teninopathy (as opposed to eccentric heel drop stretches)

Isometric function of the flexor hallucis longus muscle in normal gait

Share This Page

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