Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism
Abstract This study aimed to explore the contributions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles to medial longitudinal arch (MLA) support and the windlass mechanism under different toe extension angles in seated and single-leg standing postures. The study included 51 healthy adults (41 males...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849698498601025536 |
|---|---|
| author | Hiroshi Shinohara Yasuyuki Umezaki Airi Ikeda Takara Ikeda Nao Tateyama |
| author_facet | Hiroshi Shinohara Yasuyuki Umezaki Airi Ikeda Takara Ikeda Nao Tateyama |
| author_sort | Hiroshi Shinohara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study aimed to explore the contributions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles to medial longitudinal arch (MLA) support and the windlass mechanism under different toe extension angles in seated and single-leg standing postures. The study included 51 healthy adults (41 males, 10 females; mean age: 21.3 ± 1.2 years) with no history of lower extremity injuries or pain in the past 3 months. Ultrasound elastography was used to measure the stiffness of the plantar fascia and flexor digitorum brevis under toe extension angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. Dorsal arch height and arch height index (AHI) were evaluated to assess MLA changes. The plantar fascia and flexor digitorum brevis contributed to the windlass mechanism in the seated posture, while in the standing posture, the flexor digitorum brevis played a more pronounced role, with stiffness approximately six times greater than in the seated posture. The AHI was significantly higher in the seated posture than in the standing posture, and greater toe extension angles enhanced the windlass mechanism. These findings highlight the importance of intrinsic foot muscle training, such as towel curls, to improve MLA support and the windlass mechanism. Future studies should investigate their role in dynamic activities like walking. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d4d0ba6932224999beb0faa13630d6b1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-d4d0ba6932224999beb0faa13630d6b12025-08-20T03:18:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-97477-3Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanismHiroshi Shinohara0Yasuyuki Umezaki1Airi Ikeda2Takara Ikeda3Nao Tateyama4Aomori University of Health and WelfareAomori University of Health and WelfareTakarazuka University of Medical and Health CareTakarazuka University of Medical and Health CareTakarazuka University of Medical and Health CareAbstract This study aimed to explore the contributions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles to medial longitudinal arch (MLA) support and the windlass mechanism under different toe extension angles in seated and single-leg standing postures. The study included 51 healthy adults (41 males, 10 females; mean age: 21.3 ± 1.2 years) with no history of lower extremity injuries or pain in the past 3 months. Ultrasound elastography was used to measure the stiffness of the plantar fascia and flexor digitorum brevis under toe extension angles of 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°. Dorsal arch height and arch height index (AHI) were evaluated to assess MLA changes. The plantar fascia and flexor digitorum brevis contributed to the windlass mechanism in the seated posture, while in the standing posture, the flexor digitorum brevis played a more pronounced role, with stiffness approximately six times greater than in the seated posture. The AHI was significantly higher in the seated posture than in the standing posture, and greater toe extension angles enhanced the windlass mechanism. These findings highlight the importance of intrinsic foot muscle training, such as towel curls, to improve MLA support and the windlass mechanism. Future studies should investigate their role in dynamic activities like walking.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3Windlass mechanismMedial longitudinal arch (MLA)Plantar fasciaIntrinsic foot musclesUltrasound elastography |
| spellingShingle | Hiroshi Shinohara Yasuyuki Umezaki Airi Ikeda Takara Ikeda Nao Tateyama Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism Scientific Reports Windlass mechanism Medial longitudinal arch (MLA) Plantar fascia Intrinsic foot muscles Ultrasound elastography |
| title | Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| title_full | Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| title_fullStr | Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| title_short | Reconsideration of the load-bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| title_sort | reconsideration of the load bearing functions of the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in the windlass mechanism |
| topic | Windlass mechanism Medial longitudinal arch (MLA) Plantar fascia Intrinsic foot muscles Ultrasound elastography |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97477-3 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT hiroshishinohara reconsiderationoftheloadbearingfunctionsoftheplantarfasciaandintrinsicfootmusclesinthewindlassmechanism AT yasuyukiumezaki reconsiderationoftheloadbearingfunctionsoftheplantarfasciaandintrinsicfootmusclesinthewindlassmechanism AT airiikeda reconsiderationoftheloadbearingfunctionsoftheplantarfasciaandintrinsicfootmusclesinthewindlassmechanism AT takaraikeda reconsiderationoftheloadbearingfunctionsoftheplantarfasciaandintrinsicfootmusclesinthewindlassmechanism AT naotateyama reconsiderationoftheloadbearingfunctionsoftheplantarfasciaandintrinsicfootmusclesinthewindlassmechanism |