Abstract
[Purpose] To investigate the physical factors of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in long-distance college runners, through toe range of motion (ROM) and lower leg muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) measured by MRI. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 male long-distance runners (mean ± SD age, 20.1 ± 1.5 years; height 169.9 ± 4.5 cm; weight, 59.5 ± 4.0 kg). The subjects were divided into two groups, based on the results of a survey of MTSS history, and toe ROM and lower leg muscle CSA were compared between the two groups. [Results] In the group with no history of MTSS, the extension ROM of the second metatarso-phalangeal joint was significantly higher. No significant difference in lower leg muscle CSA was found. [Conclusion] The results suggest that ROM limitation of the second metatarso-phalangeal joint is related to the occurrence of MTSS.
