Effect of Peroneus Longus Muscle Release on Abductor Hallucis Muscle Activity and Medial Longitudinal Arch before Toe-Tap Exercise in Participants with Flexible Pes Planus.

Youngkyu Choi,Jihyun Lee

doi:10.3390/healthcare10010044

Abstract

Pes planus is a medical condition of the foot wherein there is a flattening or lowering of the medial longitudinal arch. The abductor hallucis muscle starts at the heel bone and attaches to the medial side of the first toe. Whenever it contracts, it plays a key role in elevating the medial longitudinal arch. Hence, the abductor hallucis muscle should be strong enough to control the depression on the medial longitudinal arch. The peroneus longus muscle plantarflexes the ankle and everts the ankle and subtalar joint. If this muscle contracts more than the abductor hallucis muscle does, the medial longitudinal arch of the foot is depressed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of myofascial release of the peroneus longus before performing the toe-tap exercise for strengthening the abductor hallucis muscle in participants with flexible pes planus. This cross-over study included 16 volunteers with flexible pes planus. The participants performed a toe-tap exercise before and after the myofascial release of the peroneus longus. During the toe-tap exercise, the muscle activity of the abductor hallucis and peroneus longus were measured using a Delsys Trigno Wireless Electromyography System. The angle of the medial longitudinal arch was measured using Image J software. Photos in the sagittal plane were used. The peroneus longus activity and medial longitudinal arch angles were significantly decreased. On the other hand, the activity of the abductor hallucis significantly increased after the myofascial release of the peroneus longus before performing the toe-tap exercise (p < 0.05). Individuals with flexible pes planus should be encouraged to perform myofascial release of the peroneus longus before the toe-tap exercise to improve the abductor hallucis activity and to elevate the medial longitudinal arch.

Highlights

Pes planus is a condition found in approximately 15%–25% of the human population
Compared to the toe-tap exercise alone, myofascial release of the peroneus longus muscle prior to the toe-tap exercise led to a significant increase in the abductor hallucis activity and a significant decrease in the peroneus longus activity (p < 0.05) (Table 2)
This study aimed to determine the effects of the release of the peroneus longus muscle prior to the toe-tap exercise on the abductor hallucis and peroneus longus activity and medial longitudinal arch in patients with flexible pes planus

Summary

Introduction

Pes planus is a condition found in approximately 15%–25% of the human population. It is a foot deformity caused by an abnormally low or complete loss of the medial longitudinal arch [1,2,3]. Pes planus is broadly divided into rigid and flexible types. The former is a state of reduced medial longitudinal arch regardless of weight bearing. During gait or weight support, excessive eversion of the subtalar joint causes a medial shift of weight [13] and deficits in balance. The reduced balance leads to deteriorated stability of the entire body, which reduces stamina upon long hours of walking [1]

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