Effects of three-dimensional foot-ankle exercises on mild-to-moderate hallux valgus for young women
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.08.010
- VernacularTitle:三维足踝运动干预年轻女性轻中度拇外翻的效果
- Author:
Luo YIN
1
;
Liwei GUO
1
;
Jiaxin DING
1
;
Qirui QIN
1
;
Chao WANG
2
Author Information
1. School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China
2. Sports & Medicine Integrative Innovation Center, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing 100191, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
hallux valgus;
abductor hallucis;
three-dimensional foot-ankle exercises;
toe spread out exercise
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(8):968-977
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of three-dimensional foot-ankle exercises (3DFAE) on mild-to-moderate hallux valgus in young women. MethodsFrom October to December, 2024, 45 female patients aged 18 to 26 years with hallux valgus were recruited from Capital University of Physical Education and Sports. They were randomly divided into control group (n = 15), toe-spread-out (TSO) group (n = 15) and 3DFAE group (n = 15). The control group only received foot health education, while the two intervention groups performed corresponding exercise training, for four weeks. Hallux valgus angle (HVA) was measured with photographic method, abductor hallucis activation was detected with surface electromyography, cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis was measured with Doppler ultrasound, and active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) was assessed with a goniometer, before intervention, immediately after intervention, and four weeks after training cessation. A perceived difficulty scale was adopted to evaluate the training difficulty of TSO group and 3DFAE group at the first training session and upon completion of intervention. ResultsThe effects of time and interaction were significant for bilateral HVA, abductor hallucis activation, cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis and ankle dorsiflexion ROM (F > 2.728, P < 0.05), and the effect of group of left ankle dorsiflexion ROM was also significant (F = 4.995, P < 0.05). After intervention, bilateral HVA, abductor hallucis activation, cross-sectional area of abductor hallucis and ankle dorsiflexion ROM were all better than those before intervention (P < 0.05), and most indicators were superior to those measured at the 4-week follow-up (P < 0.05). The left ankle dorsiflexion ROM was better in 3DFAE group than in the control group and TSO group (P < 0.05). At the first intervention session, the perceived training difficulty was lower in 3DFAE group than in TSO group (t = 3.334, P = 0.002), and it decreased (t = 5.292, P < 0.001) after four weeks of training in TSO group, with no significant difference compared with 3DFAE group (P > 0.05). Conclusion3DFAE can improve ankle dorsiflexion ROM in young female patients with hallux valgus, with no more difficulty than TSO, and lower initial operation difficulty.
