Toe flexor strength and muscle cross sectional diameter

NewsBot · May 10, 2014

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Maximum toe flexor muscle strength and quantitative analysis of human plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles by a magnetic resonance imaging technique
Kurihara T, Yamauchi J, Otsuka M, Tottori N, Hashimoto T and Isaka T
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 2014, 7:26 (5 May 2014)

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the relationships between the maximum isometric toe flexor muscle strength (TFS) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles and to identify the major determinant of maximum TFS among CSA of the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles.
Methods

Twenty six young healthy subjects (14 men, 12 women; age, 20.4 +/- 1.6 years) volunteered for the study. TFS was measured by a specific designed dynamometer, and CSA of plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles were measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To measure TFS, seated subjects optimally gripped the bar with their toes and exerted maximum force on the dynamometer. For each subject, the highest force produced among three trials was used for further analysis. To measure CSA, serial T1-weighted images were acquired.
Results

TFS was significantly correlated with CSA of the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. Stepwise multiple linear regression analyses identified that the major determinant of TFS was CSA of medial parts of plantar intrinsic muscles (flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, quadratus plantae, lumbricals and abductor hallucis). There was no significant difference between men and women in TFS/CSA.
Conclusions

CSA of the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic muscles is one of important factors for determining the maximum TFS in humans.
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Dr. Steven King · May 12, 2014

Aloha,

This is a good worthwhile research project.

It would be interesting to see if the cross sectional area of muscle is has a simular relationship to other materials that increase their strength when thier cross sectional area increases.

F = δ ⁡ ( E × w × h 3 ) 4 × L 3

It would follow Galileo's Square-Cubed Law.

http://www.dinosaurtheory.com/scaling.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square-cube_law

ie a 4"x4" piece of wood has a cubed bending strength of a 2"x4" piece of wood or other "advanced" material...

Here is another related tread on toe strength.
http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.php?t=67426

A Hui Hou,
Steve

What else can we do to increase the strength at the MPJ's?

NewsBot · Oct 30, 2016

Effects of Age on Strength and Morphology of Toe Flexor Muscles
Karen J. Mickle et al
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2016 Volume:0 Issue:0 Pages:1–18 DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2016.6597

Study Design
Cross-sectional.

Background
Age related muscle atrophy is common in lower limb muscles and we therefore speculated that foot muscles also diminish with age. However, there is a paucity of literature characterizing foot muscle strength and morphology, and any relationship between these two, in older people.

Objective
To compare the strength and size of the toe flexor muscles of older adults relative to their younger counterparts.

Methods
Seventeen young adults with a normal foot type were matched by gender and BMI to 17 older adults with a normal foot type, from an available sample of 41 young (18-50 years) and 44 older (60+ years) adults. Among the matched groups (n=34), muscle thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA) for five intrinsic and two extrinsic toe flexor muscles were obtained using ultrasound. Toe strength was assessed using a pressure platform. Differences in toe flexor strength and muscle size between the young and older matched groups were determined using ANCOVA (controlling for height). Correlations between strength and size of the toe flexor muscles of the pooled group (n=34) were also calculated.

Results
Toe strength and the thickness and CSA of most foot muscles and were significantly reduced in the older adults (P<0.05). Hallux and toe flexor strength were strongly correlated with the size of the intrinsic muscles toe flexor muscles.

Conclusion
The smaller foot muscles appear to be affected by sarcopenia in older adults. This could contribute to reduced toe flexion force production and affect the ability of older people to walk safely. Interventions aimed at reversing foot muscle atrophy in older people require further investigation.
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Dr. Steven King Well-Known Member

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