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Merely extrinsic muscle-focused corrective exercises can lead to the deterioration of intrinsic foot muscle. from Jafar Ketabchi et al 2024
Fascinating paper .
It would appear that if you concentrate on strengthening the extrinsic foot muscles during rehab for flexible flat feet ( mostly the tibialis posterior via inversion against elasticated bands ), you will cause deterioration of the intrinsic foot muscles . IMO, likely you will then alter gait in relation to toe off.
If you are going to do just one exercise it would probably be short foot whilst pressing the toes down ( research shows better activation of intrinsics than toes relaxed )
"In conclusion, the study impeccably postulates an intrinsic-first rehabilitative strategy as a cornerstone in managing flexible flatfoot in children, with findings that could revolutionize current therapy protocols. The detailed investigation into the interrelationship between intrinsic and extrinsic muscle training offers a valuable lens through which future researches can refine and corroborate these results. It sets the stage for a new direction in therapeutic interventions—one that favors a bottom-up approach in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, aiming not only for symptomatic relief but also for the optimized structural and functional development of the foot.
4.1. Highlights
1. The intrinsic-first strategy proved to positively influence the thickness and CSA of intrinsic foot muscles, specifically the ABH and FDB, without adversely affecting extrinsic foot muscle morphometry.
2. Both the intrinsic- and extrinsic-first corrective exercise programs could reduce navicular drop, yet the intrinsic-first strategy proved to be more effective.
3. Merely extrinsic muscle-focused corrective exercises can lead to the deterioration of intrinsic foot muscle
Fascinating paper .
It would appear that if you concentrate on strengthening the extrinsic foot muscles during rehab for flexible flat feet ( mostly the tibialis posterior via inversion against elasticated bands ), you will cause deterioration of the intrinsic foot muscles . IMO, likely you will then alter gait in relation to toe off.
If you are going to do just one exercise it would probably be short foot whilst pressing the toes down ( research shows better activation of intrinsics than toes relaxed )
"In conclusion, the study impeccably postulates an intrinsic-first rehabilitative strategy as a cornerstone in managing flexible flatfoot in children, with findings that could revolutionize current therapy protocols. The detailed investigation into the interrelationship between intrinsic and extrinsic muscle training offers a valuable lens through which future researches can refine and corroborate these results. It sets the stage for a new direction in therapeutic interventions—one that favors a bottom-up approach in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, aiming not only for symptomatic relief but also for the optimized structural and functional development of the foot.
4.1. Highlights
1. The intrinsic-first strategy proved to positively influence the thickness and CSA of intrinsic foot muscles, specifically the ABH and FDB, without adversely affecting extrinsic foot muscle morphometry.
2. Both the intrinsic- and extrinsic-first corrective exercise programs could reduce navicular drop, yet the intrinsic-first strategy proved to be more effective.
3. Merely extrinsic muscle-focused corrective exercises can lead to the deterioration of intrinsic foot muscle