UURIMISTÖÖDE ARTIKLID
JALA FUNKTSIONAALSUS, PATOLOOGIAD JA TREENING Functionality of the foot, its pathologies and training Triinu Rooni, Herje Aibast, Reet Linkberg
Abstract The present thesis is a theoretical literature review. Its aim was to explain the necessity and essentials of the training for the feet. Based on scientific publications the thesis gives an overview of functional anatomy of the foot, the relationship between foot intrinsic muscles and pathologies, as well as training for the feet. Impaired function of the feet is associated with many pathologies (e.g. pes planus, lesser toe deformities, plantar fasciitis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction). Furthermore, the feet are affected by systemic diseases, for example diabetes Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Functionality of the foot largely depends on intrinsic muscles which act as stabilizers of the arches of the foot. Their functions during ambulation are to enlarge the base of support and to assist the extrinsic muscles. Proprioceptors located in tendons and muscles are involved when maintaining balance. Decreased strength, imbalances and atrophy of the foot muscles may cause different problems themselves or be a result of other deviations. Exercises aimed only for intrinsic muscles have been developed to increase the functionality of the foot. Specific training is more effective than toe curl exercises common in clinical practice. Both the short foot exercise and the toesspread-out exercise improve neuromuscular control, strength and endurance
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