Investigation of the Relationship Between the Morphology of the Toe Flexor Muscles in Ballet Dancers and the Postural Stability During Standing on Demi-Pointe: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated how toe flexor muscles are related to postural stability in 11 ballet dancers and 12 non-dancers.<br/> Methods: Toe flexor strength (TFS), cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis longus (FHL), and flexor digitorum longus, and center of pressure (COP) displacement during single-leg demi-pointe were measured. Correlations between toe flexor strength and COP displacement and between CSA and COP displacement within each group were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient or Spearman's correlation coefficient.<br/> Results: The dancers showed smaller COP displacement than the non-dancers (p < 0.05). Toe flexor strength in dancers was moderately negatively correlated with COP displacement in the anterior-pos- terior direction (r = -0.54, p < 0.01) and total COP displacement (r = -0.57, p < 0.01). Only the CSA of the FHL in dancers exhibited a significant negative correlation with COP displacement in the anterior-posterior direction (r = -0.42, p < 0.05) and total COP displacement (r = -0.52, p < 0.01).<br/> Conclusion: The present study found a relationship between the toe flexor strength and COP displacement and CSA of toe flexor muscles and COP displacement during one-legged demi-pointe standing. These results suggest that the development of the toe flexor muscles may be involved in the balance control of dancers.