Abstract
Human toes are crucial for vertical jumping performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute effect of hallux abduction manipulation on foot inter-segment kinematic alterations and plantar loading redistribution during the countermovement jump (CMJ). Thirteen participants were recruited to join in this experiment, for the collection of the foot inter-segment kinematics and plantar pressure data. During the take-off phase, the contact area presented a significant increase while the pressure-time integral decreased in the second metatarsal (M2), whilst the third metatarsal (M3) and fourth metatarsal (M4) decreased significantly in pressure-time integral with Toe-Manipulation (TM). During the landing phase, maximum force and peak pressure were smaller in the big toe (BT) after hallux abduction manipulation. HXFFA (hallux-forefoot angle) showed a greater pronation after manipulation in the frontal plane (0%–26% and 50%–100%) with p = 0.002 and p < 0.001. In the transverse plane, the smaller adductions were found during 62%–82% in take-off and 62%–91% in landing (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001). There was a redistributed plantar loading during the landing phase from the medial to lateral forefoot. However, a reduced hallux range of motion in the TM session was exhibited, compared to Non-Toe-Manipulation (NTM).
Highlights
Barefoot and shod running has received increased attention in recent years, and habitually, barefoot population presented more toe separation [1]
The plantar pressure data, including maximum force, peak pressure, contact area, force-time integral, and pressure-time integral was distributed in the big toe (BT), other toes (OT), M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, MF, medial hindfoot (MH), and lateral hindfoot (LH) regions
The force-time integral (Impulse) and pressure-time integral were smaller after manipulation in the BT (p = 0.027, p = 0.012) and M1 (p = 0.009, p = 0.025) for hallux abduction manipulation
Summary
Barefoot and shod running has received increased attention in recent years, and habitually, barefoot population presented more toe separation [1]. Kadambande et al [2] found that long-term ill-fitted shoes wearing under weight-bearing conditions restricted natural foot growth and the normal straight alignment. Humans locomoted barefoot or with minimalist shoes before the modern shoe was introduced [7]. The comparisons of shod and barefoot running have led to suggestions that modern running shoes may impair leg and foot-spring function, decrease foot stiffness during locomotion by reducing the contributions from the leg and foot musculature [8]. Studies have proven that running under non-restrictive conditions, such as barefoot or minimal shoes, could increase the strength of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles in feet and
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