Ultrasonographic evaluation of intrinsic foot muscle thickness in soccer and basketball players: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to assess and compare the thickness of specific intrinsic foot muscles (IFM)-abductor hallucis brevis (ABH), flexor hallucis brevis (FHB), flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), quadratus plantaris (QP)-and the plantar fascia (PF) in amateur soccer and basketball players using ultrasonography.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 35 male amateur athletes, including 17 soccer players and 18 basketball players. Ultrasonographic imaging was performed to measure the thickness of the IFM and PF in a relaxed position for all participants.

Results

Basketball players demonstrated significantly greater thickness in the ABH and FHB compared to soccer players. However, no substantial differences were observed in the thickness of the FDB, QP

SUBMITTER: Canosa-Carro L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12357543 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature