Effect of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Position on Maximal Voluntary Isometric Ankle Plantar‐Flexion Torque
5 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan.
- 2Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan.
- 3Organization for Research Innovation, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan.
- 4School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan.
- 5Human Performance Laboratory, Comprehensive Research Organization, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
The joint position at which maximal torque is produced indicates the optimal position for agonist muscles to function. It is well-documented that the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque of ankle plantar-flexion varies with knee and ankle joint positions. However, metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint position may also affect MVIC torque, reflecting force-length relationships of the toe flexor muscles. This study examined the effect of MTP joint position on MVIC torque of ankle plantar-flexion. Sixteen young males performed MVICs of ankle plantar-flexion with the MTP joint at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of dorsiflexion. Ankle plantar-flexion torque, plantar pressure distribution, and surface electromyography (sEMG) were recorded. MVIC torque was significantly greater at 15° than at 0°, 30°, and 45° (+11.0%-21.4%). Similarly, forces applied under the toes were significantly greater at 15° than at the other conditions (+13.4%-37.5%), whereas forces applied under the proximal foot and sEMG amplitudes of the major ankle plantar-flexors remained comparable across MTP joint positions. At 45° MTP joint dorsiflexion, toe forces were 17.5% lower than at 30°, COP shifted 3-5 mm proximally, and sEMG amplitudes were 26.8% lower in abductor hallucis than at 30°, and 28.9% and 26.3% lower in flexor digitorum brevis than at 15° and 30°, respectively. These results demonstrate that MVIC torque of ankle plantar-flexion varies with MTP joint position in an inverted U-shaped manner and is maximized at 15° of MTP joint dorsiflexion, reflecting changes in toe flexor forces, proximodistal COP displacement, and sEMG amplitudes of the intrinsic foot muscles.
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BibTeX
@article{shiotani2026effect,
title = {{Effect of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Position on Maximal Voluntary Isometric Ankle Plantar‐Flexion Torque}},
author = {Hiroto Shiotani and Katsuki Takahashi and Kosei Taniai and Hayato Tsuru and Yasuo Kawakami},
journal = {Scandinavian journal of medicine \& science in sports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1111/sms.70390},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717705},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Effect of Metatarsophalangeal Joint Position on Maximal Voluntary Isometric Ankle Plantar‐Flexion Torque
AU - Hiroto Shiotani
AU - Katsuki Takahashi
AU - Kosei Taniai
AU - Hayato Tsuru
AU - Yasuo Kawakami
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports
DO - 10.1111/sms.70390
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13717705
AB - The joint position at which maximal torque is produced indicates the optimal position for agonist muscles to function. It is well-documented that the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque of ankle plantar-flexion varies with knee and ankle joint positions. However, metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint position may also affect MVIC torque, reflecting force-length relationships of the toe flexor muscles. This study examined the effect of MTP joint position on MVIC torque of ankle plantar-flexion. Sixteen young males performed MVICs of ankle plantar-flexion with the MTP joint at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of dorsiflexion. Ankle plantar-flexion torque, plantar pressure distribution, and surface electromyography (sEMG) were recorded. MVIC torque was significantly greater at 15° than at 0°, 30°, and 45° (+11.0%-21.4%). Similarly, forces applied under the toes were significantly greater at 15° than at the other conditions (+13.4%-37.5%), whereas forces applied under the proximal foot and sEMG amplitudes of the major ankle plantar-flexors remained comparable across MTP joint positions. At 45° MTP joint dorsiflexion, toe forces were 17.5% lower than at 30°, COP shifted 3-5 mm proximally, and sEMG amplitudes were 26.8% lower in abductor hallucis than at 30°, and 28.9% and 26.3% lower in flexor digitorum brevis than at 15° and 30°, respectively. These results demonstrate that MVIC torque of ankle plantar-flexion varies with MTP joint position in an inverted U-shaped manner and is maximized at 15° of MTP joint dorsiflexion, reflecting changes in toe flexor forces, proximodistal COP displacement, and sEMG amplitudes of the intrinsic foot muscles.
SN - 0905-7188
SN - 1600-0838
ER -