ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2015 July-August;174(7-8):307-13

Copyright © 2015 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Toe flexor strength and lower-limb physical performance in adolescent

Otsuka M. ¹, Yamauchi J. ^{2, 3, 4}, Kurihara T. ¹, Morita N. ⁵, Isaka T. ¹

¹ Faculty of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Japan; ² Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan; ³ Future Institute for Sport Sciences, Tokyo, Japan; ⁴ Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance, (BNOJPH), Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; ⁵ Department of Sports Education, Hokkaido University of Education, Hokkaido, Japan

AIM: This study investigated the relationships between the toe flexor strength (TFS) and dynamic lower-limb physical performances in adolescent.
METHODS: Total 161 junior high school students aged 14-15 years participated and performed the maximum isometric TFS and the physical performance tests. TFS was measured with the toe grip dynamometer. For the measurement of TFS, participants optimally gripped the bar of the dynamometer in the standing position. TFS was also normalized by body mass (relative TFS: rTFS). Four types of physical performance tests were used, including a 50-m sprint run, a side step, a standing broad jump, and a 20-m shuttle run.
RESULTS: TFS and rTFS were significantly correlated with a 50-m sprint run, a side step, a standing broad jump and a 20-m shuttle run in overall (TFS: r=-0.392, 0.374, 0.403 and 0.326, respectively, p<0.01; rTFS: r=-0.398, 0.376, 0.366 and 0.351, respectively, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the measurement of TFS is practically meaningful to assess the muscle strength related dynamic lower-limb physical performance in adolescent.