Background: Considering concerns about conventional toe grip strength, we devised a method to measure toe pressure strength in the standing position, which is close to the actual motion. This study examined the association between toe pressure strength in the standing position and walking speed among older adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 community-dwelling older adults (81±8 years, 73% female) who participated in the physical fitness test. We analyzed the correlation between the participants' maximum walking speed and physical function. Furthermore, we performed regression analysis with the maximum walking speed as the dependent variable to examine the association with toe pressure strength in the standing position. We also examined the association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position by introducing a covariate.
Results: Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position, with a moderate effect size (r=0.48, p<0.001). Moreover, multiple regression analysis with covariates showed an association between maximum walking speed and toe pressure strength in the standing position (standardization factor=0.13, p<0.026).
Conclusion: Toe pressure strength in the standing position was associated with maximum walking speed. This finding clarifies the significance of assessing toe pressure strength in the standing position and suggests that enhanced toe pressure strength in the standing position may increase maximum walking speed.
Keywords: Older adults; Toe muscle strength; Toe pressure strength; Walking speed.