Effect of Insoles With a Toe-Grip Bar on Toe-Grip Strength and Body Sway in Middle-Aged and Elderly Women

Abstract

The effects of insoles with a toe-grip bar on toe-grip strength (TGS) and body sway in middle-aged and elderly women were investigated. Twelve middle-aged and elderly women wore shoes with insoles with a toe-grip bar. TGS and the total length of the center of pressure sway in the 1- and 2-leg stances (OLS-TL and TLS-TL) were measured before (Pre1) and after (Pre2) the baseline phase and after the intervention phase (Post). TGS, OLS-TL and TLS-TL significantly improved in the Post condition compared with the Pre1 and Pre2 conditions. The results of this study suggest that insoles with a toe-grip bar can improve TGS and body sway in middle-aged and elderly women.

Effects of Long-Term Use of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on the Balance, Walking, and Running of Preschool Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The intervention group wore shoes with insoles with a toe-grip bar [18,19]. The mid and rear parts of the insole were made of synthetic resin foam, and the toe section was made from synthetic fiber with high repulsion properties (known as three-dimensional mesh).…”

“…During the terminal stance phase of walking, the toes perceived the toe-grip bar and the reflex toe-grip movement was increased. The toe-grip movement occurred subconsciously while the participant was walking, resulting in improved toe-grip strength [18,19].…”

“…However, if this training is not performed regularly, then it is difficult to maintain the beneficial effects. As a solution to this problem, insoles with a toe-grip bar have been developed recently that improve the toe-grip strength while the individual is walking [18,19]. According to previous studies, the toe-grip bar, which is a convex structure, is placed at the central part of the proximal phalanx from the first to the fifth toe.…”

“…During the terminal stance phase of walking, the toes perceive the toe-grip bar and the reflex toegrip movement is increased. The toe-grip movement occurs subconsciously when the individual walks, resulting in improved toe-grip strength [18,19]. It has been reported that the toe-grip strength and toe flexibility of healthy individuals who wore insoles with a toe-grip bar experienced significant improvement after the intervention compared to healthy individuals who wore general insoles [18].…”

“…It has been reported that the toe-grip strength and toe flexibility of healthy individuals who wore insoles with a toe-grip bar experienced significant improvement after the intervention compared to healthy individuals who wore general insoles [18]. Moreover, it was reported that the toe-grip strength and body sway of the elderly significantly improved after the intervention phase that involved insoles with a toe-grip bar compared with after the baseline phase that involved general insoles [19]. Therefore, we hypothesized that insoles with a toe-grip bar may improve the physical performance of the lower limbs, including balance, walking, and running, of children.…”