Torque-angle relationships of human toe flexor muscles highlight their capacity for propulsion in gait.

ABSTRACT: Human proficiency for bipedal locomotion relies on the structure and function of our feet, including the interplay between active muscles and passive structures acting on the toes during the propulsive phase of gait. However, our understanding of the relative contributions of these different structures remains incomplete. We aimed to determine the distinct toe-flexion torque-angle relationships of the plantar intrinsic muscles (PIMs), extrinsic muscles and passive structures, therefore offering insight into their force-generating capabilities and importance for walking and running. Torque-angle data were twice collected from nine healthy individuals (6 males, 3 females; 28±5 years) using supramaximal transcutaneous electrical stimuli applied at two tibial nerve sites to distinguish between

SUBMITTER: Wisdish SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11744321 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature