Physical Therapy Commons^™

Midfoot Power During Walking And Stair Ascent In Healthy Adults, Frank Diliberto, Jeff Houck

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Introduction/Purpose: Intrinsic foot muscles have the capacity to attenuate and reverse arch deformation under loaded conditions. This function is proposed to be an important component in generating the midfoot power and stability requisite for gastroc-soleus muscle action at the ankle during forward propulsion. Synergistic activation of intrinsic foot muscles is proposed to function as a ‘foot core’ during weightbearing activity that is analogous to the function of the smaller muscles at the spine. If this theory were sound, midfoot power would be expected to increase, potentially in proportion to ankle power, as the muscular demand of a task increases. The …