Abstract
[Purpose] The object of this study was to investigate the effect of toe flexor muscle strength training on floor reaction force during maximum speed walking. [Subjects] The subjects were 27 healthy students. [Method] The subjects were distributed at random, males and females separately, to a training and a control group. Toe flexor muscle strength, and walking speed, number of steps, cadence, step length and floor reaction force during 10 m maximum speed walking were measured before and after the intervention. The training group performed toe flexor muscle strength training for 4 weeks, and the control group were instructed to keep to their normal lifestyles. [Results] Toe flexor muscle strength significantly increased in the training group, and 10 m maximum walking speed also increased. Furthermore, trends of increase were also seen in the 3rd wave of the lateral floor reaction force and cadence. [Conclusion] The results suggest the possibility that maximum walking speed was increased and cadence improved by a more appropriate directional raising of the leg in heel-lift. Moreover, because an increase was not seen in the peak wave of the vertical reaction force despite the increase in maximum walking speed, this suggests the shock due to heel contact was reduced by increased braking strength through the toes enabling a soft heel contact.
