The main function of plantar flexor muscles is to keep the arch of the foot stable when walking, standing, and running. Flexion occurs at the heel bone where the plantar fascia joins the calcaneus. This constant force on the heel bone and the weight of the body’s activity causes the plantar flexor muscles to gradually contract and lengthen. With the continuous lengthening of the plantar flexor muscles, the tendons close over the joint becoming deformed.
Physiological And Functional Significance
To investigate the physiological and functional significance of force variations during voluntary contractions with a selected muscle group, measured the effect of plantar flexor muscles during a selected postural muscle activity in 20 healthy adults and 20 young adults with plantar fasciitis.
The study found significant increases in functional strength (measured by the percentage of maximum torque), power (measured as the percent of peak power recorded during the contraction), and resistance (measured as the mean force during static contraction). In addition, there was a trend for an increase in muscle length during the static contraction test. It is concluded that the stretching of plantar flexor muscles during postural standing increases the force required to support the body during walking, standing, and running.
Mechanical Advantage Of Plantar Flexor
This study provides a biological basis for the mechanical advantage of plantar flexor muscles during walking, standing, and running. The physiotherapist will use various methods to stretch and strengthen the plantar flexor muscles during the rehabilitation process.
Initial treatment usually consists of an exercise regime involving static exercises in the affected area using light and easy stimuli. The physiotherapist will progress the program in stages allowing the plantar fascia to gradually develop and lengthen. Stretching of the plantar fascia is normally done at night after sleeping. Although occasionally during the day, depending on the mechanical condition of the foot and the patient’s tolerance for stretching.
What other Studies Show –
Another important area that has been investigated when applying plantarflexion or pf force during rehabilitation is the impact on walking mechanics. The present study showed that there are no differences between the two groups of subjects with respect to walking speed. Momentum, angles of knee bend, and bodyweight distribution. When walking at different levels of constant force fluctuations (one-set static force and two-set random force).
However, there was a trend for subjects with plantar flexor muscles having longer strides than those without them, and those with the higher knee arches had shorter strides (around 0.5 cm longer than the other group). The authors suggest that this difference may be due to plantar flexor elongation at the site of the knee cap. This elongation decreases the amount of available space available for active motion. It is also believed that the presence of plantar flexor muscles may be important for stability during dynamic walking. But their involvement in the development of postural stability could not explain the difference in the static and dynamic walking speeds.
Possible Effects Of Plantar Flexion
Surprisingly, the present study did not explore the possible effects of plantar flexion or pf force during locomotion. Which is known to have a profound effect on walking. It has been postulated that plantar flexion may not only play a key role in walking stability. But also the transfer of weight from one foot to the other, and the subsequent walking speed and acceleration. Previous research has suggested that this phenomenon may result from abnormal excursions of anterior pelvic tilt and internal rotation in older adults with large waists and strong lower legs.
While these factors are well-known to influence walking mechanics. The current study has shown that plantar flexion does not contribute to the severity of pelvic tilting. The subsequent loss of balance and gaits. Also, while the previous studies of this topic focused on middle-aged and older adults. The current study focused on school-aged children. The results seem to imply that the effects of plantarflexion during locomotion can occur at younger ages. And for children than previously thought, although the absolute risk remains unknown. If you would like to know more about plantar flexor muscles and treatments related to them then you can check online sites such as https://lermagazine.com/