Effects of Toe Tube Training on Intrinsic Foot Muscle Strength and Reactive Strength Index in Runners: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Long-distance runners are known to be at a high risk of lower limb disorders due to a decline in the function of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of toe tube training using elastic tubes. First, a crossover study was conducted with 13 healthy adults...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/22/10514 |
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| Summary: | Long-distance runners are known to be at a high risk of lower limb disorders due to a decline in the function of the intrinsic foot muscles (IFMs). The aim of this study was to examine the effects of toe tube training using elastic tubes. First, a crossover study was conducted with 13 healthy adults in three conditions: tube training, short foot exercise, and control. Changes in the IFMs pre- and post-exercise were confirmed using ultrasound echo. Next, 19 university long-distance runners were randomly divided into two groups (tube training or short foot exercise) and underwent a five-week training intervention. The toe grip strength, toe gap strength, and reactive strength index were measured pre- and post-intervention. In a crossover study, the tube training and short foot exercise showed a significant interaction effect on the abductor hallucis brevis (F = 5.63, <i>p</i> = 0.010, partial η<sup>2</sup> = 0.32) and flexor digitorum brevis (F = 15.29, <i>p</i> < 0.001, partial η<sup>2</sup> = 0.56), confirming an immediate effect of tube training and short foot exercise. In an intervention study with runners, no interaction was observed but a main effect of time was found, with both groups showing significant improvements in toe grip strength (F = 25.64, <i>p</i> < 0.001, partial η<sup>2</sup> = 0.60), toe gap strength (F = 11.26, <i>p</i> = 0.004, partial η<sup>2</sup> = 0.40), and RSI (F = 4.81, <i>p</i> = 0.042, partial η<sup>2</sup> = 0.22). Tube training may be an effective alternative for runners who find short foot exercise difficult and want to adjust the exercise load. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |