Big Toe Muscles Strengthening Exercises With and Without Neuromuscular Training Among Runners

Effects of Big Toe Muscles Strengthening Exercises With and Without Neuromuscular Training on Speed, Agility and Power Among Runners

The big toe in relation to the other toes is responsible for a much greater percentage of foot and body stabilization as well as forward propulsion. Big toe muscles play a very significant role in the toe off phase during the locomotion, increasing the final push off from the ground during activities like walking, running and jumping. Also have a role in maintaining medial arch of the foot. Marked evidence shows that neuromuscular training programs are effective for improving measures of performance. Comprehensive neuromuscular training programs designed for young women may significantly increase power, strength, and neuromuscular control. So, this study will determine the effects of big toe muscles strengthening exercises with and without neuromuscular training among runners.

This study will be a randomized clinical trial conducted at Pakistan sports board and coaching center Lahore and runners club in Lahore. Only female runners aged between 18-30 years having at least 1 year experience will be recruited in study. The participants will be randomly divided by simple random sampling into two groups. One group will perform the big toe muscles strengthening exercises with neuromuscular training and the other group will perform the big toe muscles strengthening exercises without neuromuscular training. The effects of Strengthening exercises of both the groups will be accessed on speed, power and agility of runners. Toe strength will be accessed by toe-hip dynamometer, Speed by 30 m sprint test, power by vertical jump, and agility by T-drill agility test at the start, and at the end of study duration. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS-26 providing a comprehensive approach to investigate the effects of bio toe muscles strength with and without neuromuscular training on speed, agility and power among runners.

The main objective of the study is to apply the big toe muscles strengthening exercises with and without neuromuscular training and to compare the results to identify their influence on speed, agility and power among runners.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age between 18-30 years.
• Only female participants.
• Middle distance runners with at least 1 year experience.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants with current or recent (< 6 months) lower extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, neurological or neuromuscular conditions, severe foot deformities (i.e. club foot or deformities that hinders the activities of daily living).
• Participants with history of trauma or surgical treatment of lower extremity or foot within 6 months.
• Female participants with pregnancy.
• Systemic illnesses: Diabetes and hypertension etc.