足底および足趾エクササイズが高齢者の移動能力に及ぼす即時的効果の検証

抄録

In recent years, the action of plantar and toes to play an important role in the movement ability of the elderly has been confirmed. Moreover, exercise using the toes is effective in improving the walking and balance of the elderly, and the need for toe exercise for the elderly is increasing. To date, there have been many reports verifying the effect of toe exercise over a long period of time, and there are few studies examining the immediate effect of toe exercise in the elderly. In this study, we examined the immediate effect of plantar and toe flexor exercise on the movement ability of the elderly. The study comprised 16 participants (3 male and 13 female; average age, 75.1±5.0 years). A crossover study was conducted by dividing the subjects into two conditions: control, and plantar and toe flexor exercise conditions. For plantar and toe flexor exercise, we performed a total of four types of exercises: (1) static stretching of the plantar and toe (2) towel gathering, (3) rock scissors and paper exercise, and (4) stepping on the foot plate. Additionally, toe flexor strength, toe’s ten-second test, 5 m walking time, 3 m zigzag walking time and TUG were measured before and after intervention to verify the immediate effects of plantar and toe flexor exercise. A two-way analysis of variance with both factors corresponding to each other showed that the toe flexor strength, toe's ten-second test, 5 m walking time, 3 m zigzag walking, and TUG measurement items were comparable between the two conditions after intervention. A significant difference was confirmed between the plantar and toe flexor exercise and control conditions. The results indicated that plantar and toe flexor exercise had an immediate effect on toe flexor strength, toe dexterity, and movement ability in straight line walking and direction changes.