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The Role of Muscles in Arch Support of the Foot
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0
References
1963
Year
Muscle FunctionLower Limb TraumaOrthopaedic SurgeryKinesiologyMuscle InjuryBiomechanicsApplied PhysiologyHealth SciencesMechanobiologySimultaneous ElectromyographyDynamic ReserveMusculoskeletal FunctionRehabilitationHuman Musculoskeletal SystemArch SupportPhysical TherapyPhysiologyElectromyographyMusculoskeletal InteractionPodiatryHuman MovementExcessive LoadsMedicine
Passive ligamentous structures support foot arches under 100–200 lb loads, while muscles act as a dynamic reserve only when loads exceed this threshold. Electromyography of six leg and foot muscles in twenty subjects shows that only heavy loads elicit activity, with muscles engaging at 400 lb yet many remaining inactive.
Simultaneous electromyography of six muscles in the leg and foot in twenty subjects reveals that only heavy loading elicits muscle activity. Loads of 100 to 200 pounds on one foot are borne easily by passive structures (ligaments and bones) that support the arches. With 400 pounds, the muscles do come into play, but even then many remain inactive. The first line of defense of the arches is ligamentous. The muscles form a dynamic reserve, called upon reflexly by excessive loads, including the take-off phase in walking.