Age-Related Reduction of Foot Intrinsic Muscle Function and the Relationship with Postural Stability in Old Adults

Introduction: The risk of falls among the elderly significantly increases, which has become a serious public health concern. Falls can not only lead to serious complications such as fractures and brain injuries but also limit their mobility function, reducing quality of life. Foot intrinsic muscles (FIMs) are an essential part of foot core stability even overall postural stability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aging on the function of FIMs and to explore the influence of FIMs on postural control in the elderly.
Materials and Methods: 56 healthy old participants (60– 75 years) and 57 healthy young participants (18– 29 years) joined this study. An ergoFet dynamometer was used to determine foot muscle strength (Doming, T₁, T₂₃ and T₂₃₄₅), and ankle muscle strength (plantarflexion and dorsiflexion). The morphology of FIMs and extrinsic foot muscle was determined using a Doppler ultrasound system, whereas the postural stability was assessed through Limits of Stability test. Independent samples t-test was used to determine the differences in strength and morphological parameters and Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine whether an association existed between muscle strength and postural stability parameters in the elderly.
Results: Compared with young adults, foot muscle strength and ankle muscle strength (Doming, T₁, T₂₃, T₂₃₄₅, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion, all p < 0.05) and the morphology of foot muscles (all p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in the elderly. The strength of FIMs and the limit of stability (r = 0.302– 0.424, all p < 0.05) were significantly correlated in the elderly.
Conclusion: Compared with young adults, the weakness of strength as well as the morphological decline of the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles were found in the elderly. In addition, a correlation was observed between FIM’s strength and postural stability in the elderly, suggesting their potential role in posture stability.

Keywords: postural stability, aging, foot core system, fall, foot intrinsic muscle, FIMs