A study conducted by scientists at the University of Queensland shows that the plantar fascia might not be the only muscle in the foot that provides arch support. Dr. Glen Lichtwark, a scientist at Queensland, believes this could have important influences on footwear design, injury rehabilitation, and the biological evolution of bipedalism.
The researchers’ experiments involved attaching weights to the knees of two test subjects and monitoring the responses of the corresponding muscles in their feet. They followed their first experiment with a second, which provided electrical stimulation to the leg muscle showing that when activated, these tissues caused the arch to rise. Their findings indicated that more muscle tissue became active than expected and that there was more to arch support than previously surmised.
Exercising the feet leads to increased muscle performance and durability. To find out more, call podiatrist Dr. Andrew H. Cohen of the Diabetic Foot Center of Mid Michigan. Dr. Cohen can tell you about the benefits of exercising your feet and help you get started on your own fitness routine.
Exercise for Your Feet
Exercise for your feet can help you to gain strength, mobility and flexibility in your feet. They say that strengthening your feet can be just as rewarding as strengthening another part of the body. Your feet are very important and often we forget about them in our daily tasks. But it is because of our feet that are we able to get going and do what we need to. For those of us fortunate not to have any foot problems, it is an important gesture to take care of them to ensure its good health in the long run.
Some foot health exercises can include ankle pumps, tip-toeing, toe rise, lifting off the floor doing reps and sets, also flexing the toes and involving the shins may help too. It is best to speak with your doctor regarding how to do these fitness steps and how often is right for you. Everyone’s needs and bodies are different and it varies from individual to individual to determine what should be done for you to maintain strength in your feet.
Once you get into a routine of doing regular exercise, you may notice a difference in your feet and how strong they may become.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices located in Saginaw and Essexville, MI. We offer the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle injuries.
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