Differences in Electromyographic Activities and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters between General and Developed Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar.

The present study was aimed at comparing the muscle activities and gait parameters between the toe-grip bar insoles and general insoles during walking using randomized crossover design. Twelve healthy men participated in this study. Temporal and spatial gait parameters and electromyography (EMG) results were concurrently collected while the subjects walked along an 8 m walkway with the developed and general insoles. Developed insoles provide a three-dimensional mesh structure at the toe portion and a convex bulging structure (toe-grip bar) near the center of the proximal phalanx of the first to fifth toe. The linear mixed model was used to estimate the toe-grip bar insole effect. The results showed that there were no sequence or period effects for any of the examined parameters. During the stance phase, those wearing the developed insoles had significantly higher %IEMG for the TA, GM, and GL than those wearing the general insoles (TA: 5.03%IEMG, p = 0.005; GM: 4.65%IEMG, p = 0.046; and GL: 6.50%IEMG, p = 0.008). During the swing phase, those wearing the developed insoles had significantly higher activity for only the TA compared to those wearing the general insoles (5.54%IEMG, p = 0.011). With respect to gait parameters, those wearing the developed insoles had greater step length (2.81 cm, p = 0.038), longer stance time (0.03 s, p = 0.001), and shorter swing time (-0.02 s, p = 0.003) compared to those wearing the general insoles. The results suggest that walking with toe-grip bar insoles contributes to increased crural muscle activity and step length.

The effect of wearing insoles with a toe-grip bar on occupational leg swelling and lower limb muscle activity: A randomized cross-over study.

OBJECTIVE: Sitting or standing for hours decreases the blood flow in the legs and results in increased pressure on the veins, leading to the development of chronic venous disease. This study aimed to investigate the effects of insoles with a toe-grip bar on occupational leg swelling and lower limb muscle activity. METHODS: This randomized cross-over study enrolled 12 healthy men who work in a sitting or standing position. They were randomly divided into groups A (wore shoes with insoles with a toe-grip bar for 8 hours each) and B (wore shoes with regular insoles for 8 hours each). After 1 week, groups A and B wore shoes with regular insoles and shoes with insoles with a toe-grip bar, respectively, for 8 hours each. Lower leg volume was measured before and after each intervention, and lower limb muscle activity was measured at the start of each intervention. RESULTS: Occupational leg swelling was significantly smaller in men wearing insoles with a toe-grip bar (P < .05). Moreover, the integrated electromyogram value of the tibialis anterior muscle and medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles during the stance phase of walking, and tibialis anterior muscle during the swing phase of walking was significantly greater in men wearing insoles with a toe-grip bar (all P < .05). CONCLUSION: Insoles with a toe-grip bar contribute to increased lower limb muscle activity, attenuating occupational leg swelling.

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.

This randomized controlled study is aimed at investigating the effects of long-term use of insoles with a toe-grip bar on the balance, walking, and running of preschool children. Fifty-two preschool children were randomly assigned to an intervention group or control group. Children included in the intervention group wore shoes with insoles that had a toe-grip bar, and those in the control group wore shoes with regular insoles without a toe-grip bar for 4 weeks while they were at school. The center of gravity sway (total trajectory length and envelope area), walking parameters (walking speed, cadence, stride length, step length, stance time, and swing time), and time to run 25 m were measured before and after the intervention. The 25 m running time of the intervention group was significantly improved after the intervention (F = 5.66; p < 0.05). This study suggests that insoles with a toe-grip bar may contribute to improvements in the running of preschool children.

Effect of Insoles with a Toe-Grip Bar on Toe Function and Standing Balance in Healthy Young Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized controlled study was to investigate the effects of insoles with a toe-grip bar on toe function and standing balance in healthy young women. METHODS: Thirty female subjects were randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group wore shoes with insoles with a toe-grip bar. The control group wore shoes with general insoles. Both groups wore the shoes for 4 weeks, 5 times per week, 9 hours per day. Toe-grip strength, toe flexibility, static balance (total trajectory length and envelope area of the center of pressure), and dynamic balance (functional reach test) were measured before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant interactions were observed for toe-grip strength and toe flexibility (F = 12.53, p < 0.01; F = 5.84, p < 0.05, resp.), with significant improvement in the intervention group compared with that in the control group. Post hoc comparisons revealed that both groups showed significant improvement in toe-grip strength (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, resp.), with higher benefits observed for the intervention group (p < 0.01). Conversely, no significant interaction was observed in the total trajectory length, envelope area, and functional reach test. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that insoles with a toe-grip bar contribute to improvements in toe-grip strength and toe flexibility in healthy young women.