BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Toe pressure strength measured in the standing position has been shown to contribute more to health promotion and disease prevention in older adults than conventional toe grip strength. Toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with standing ability and walking speed. However, it remains unclear whether interventions designed to improve toe pressure strength in the standing position (ie, assessed while standing) increase muscle strength and improve physical function. This study aimed to examine the effects of interventions on toe pressure strength in the standing position among community-dwelling older adults participating in a day program. METHODS: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted among community-dwelling older adults participating in a day program. The 40 participants selected for analysis were randomly divided into a control group (n = 20) and an intervention group (n = 20). The control group received standard rehabilitation, whereas the intervention group received standard rehabilitation plus toe pressure strength training (5 seconds × 10 repetitions for 3 sets over 12 weeks). Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to compare changes in variables after the intervention between groups. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: 18 participants in each group completed the intervention and were included in the final analysis (control: 82 ± 6 years, 67% female; intervention: 85 ± 5 years, 61% female). A significant interaction was observed between toe pressure strength in the standing position and maximum walking speed. The post hoc tests showed no significant differences in any of the variables at baseline between the groups. Conversely, significant differences only in toe pressure strength in the standing position and maximum walking speed was observed between the groups after 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Toe pressure strength training improved toe pressure strength in the standing position and maximum walking speed. This has been the first study to clarify the effects of toe pressure strength training, with our results highlighting its importance in the community-dwelling older adults.
Taishiro et al. (Mon,) studied this question.