• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.222-227
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the influence of longitudinal arch on the strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in the standing position in subjects with and without navicular drop signs. Methods: A sample of 34 subjects with and without navicular drop signs between 22 and 28 years of age were enrolled in this study. The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis was measured using a tensiometer. The Smart KEMA System and electromyography device was used on the subjects with and without navicular drop signs. Two groups were classified using the navicular drop test to identify the longitudinal arch of the foot. The strength of the abductor hallucis was evaluated in standing, both with and without an external arch support condition. The two-way mixed ANOVA was used. The level of statistical significance was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in standing was significantly higher with external arch support than that without the external arch support in the group with navicular drop signs. There was no significant difference in the abductor hallucis strength and muscle activity with and without external arch support in the subjects without navicular drop signs. Conclusions: The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in standing can be influenced by the external arch support in the group with navicular drop signs. The strength measurement of the abductor hallucis in standing should be separately performed in conditions with and without longitudinal arch of foot.