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Updated: Jan 17, 2026

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
Foot and ankle function, foot morphology, and intrinsic and extrinsic muscle morphology in competitive swimmers
Toshihiro Maemichi1, Yuki Ogawa2, Takumi Okunuki3
1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Tokorozawa, Japan; Institute of Life Innovation Studies, Toyo University, Tokyo, Akabane, Japan.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the foot morphology, flexibility of foot and ankle joints, and cross-sectional areas of intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles in competitive swimmers.
Methods:
This study included 18 male university swimmers (swimmer group) and 12 healthy male participants (control group).
Results:
The swimmer group exhibited greater foot and ankle joint flexibility, less ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, lower toe-floor distance values, and larger foot circumference and width. The cross-sectional areas of the abductor hallucis, tibialis posterior, flexor pollicis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles were larger in the swimmer group than in the control group.
Conclusion:
Kicking motion during ankle plantarflexion, especially the plantarflexors of the ankle joint, may lead to the development of intrinsic foot and extrinsic ankle muscles.
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