Immediate effect of the use of toe separators on dynamic balance and ankle range of motion: a pilot study

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives

Injuries involving ankle stability and range of motion are among the most frequent in athletes and in the general population. In response, this study aimed to assess the immediate effects of toe separators on dynamic stability and ankle range of motion in healthy young individuals.

Methods

Among the 68 eligible participants, 50 healthy and active subjects completed all trials. The impact of the intervention was evaluated using the Weight Bearing Lunge Test and Y-Test. The control condition performed the tests without toe separators, while the experimental condition performed the tests with toe separators. All participants performed both conditions with a wash-out period of at least 7 days between trials.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in dynamic balance (p > 0.05) and range of motion (p > 0.05) between the two conditions. Additionally, no asymmetries were detected between the lower limbs in both tests (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The results of this pilot study indicate that using toe separators does not have an immediate effect on ankle range of motion and dynamic balance in young, healthy individuals. Future research should consider evaluating intervention programs of longer duration and exploring different populations.

KEYWORDS:

• Foot orthoses
• Physical examination
• postural balance
• proprioception
• range of motion
• Toes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the participants in this research project.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.