The effect of a 12-week custom foot orthotic intervention on muscle size and muscle activity of the intrinsic foot muscle of young adults during gait termination

The short-term use of custom-made foot orthoses created a decrease in muscle size of the flexor digitorium brevis, abductor digiti minimi and abductor hallucis plantar intrinsic muscles but had no effect on muscle activity. Clinically, these results help to understand the adaptations that are created when foot orthoses are supporting a pes planus foot structure when reducing plantar pressures. These findings may help enhance the prescription of foot orthoses by adding a strength program to prevent disuse atrophy of these muscles.

Source: Clinical Biomechanics - May 26, 2020 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Katrina Protopapas, Stephen D. Perry Source Type: research