Examinations of factors influencing toe grip strength.
Masayuki Soma, Shin Murata, Yoshihiro Kai and 4 others
PMID 27942134WHAT IT FOUND
Among 12 healthy young women, stronger toe grip was linked to higher foot arches, more front-of-shin muscle activity, more toe curling, and greater ankle angle.
This is an association in a small group, not proof that training toe grip prevents falls.
Key findings
01Toe grip strength was significantly positively correlated with foot-arch height ratio (r=0.69), tibialis anterior muscle activity (r=0.67), toe curl ability (r=0.66), medial gastrocnemius muscle activity (r=0.61), and ankle angle change (r=0.60), all p<0.05.
02Toe grip strength was not correlated with weight, rectus femoris muscle activity, or biceps femoris muscle activity.
03Stepwise multiple regression retained foot-arch height ratio (beta=0.54, p<0.01) and tibialis anterior muscle activity (beta=0.51, p=0.01) as predictors of toe grip strength.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 12 healthy young women were tested, so the results may not apply to men, older adults, or people with foot or ankle problems. The study measured associations at one time point and did not assign or test any treatment, so it cannot show that changing foot arch, toe curling, ankle angle, or muscle activity changes toe grip strength. Surface EMG can be affected by skin resistance, artifacts, and nearby muscles, which the authors acknowledged as a limitation. The paper did not measure falls or test toe grip training or insoles, despite mentioning falls in the introduction and discussion.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding or conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that toe grip training, insoles, or tibialis anterior strengthening will increase toe grip strength or reduce falls. The study tested 12 healthy young women, measured associations at one time point, and did not test any intervention or falls.