Effect of Position on Ankle Dorsiflexor, Hallux Dorsiflexor and Plantar Flexor Muscle Strength: Are Ankle Dorsiflexor and Plantar Flexor Muscle Strengths Greater in the Standing Position Compared to the Supine Position?

Effect of Position on Ankle Dorsiflexor, Hallux Dorsiflexor and Plantar Flexor Muscle Strength

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there is a difference in ankle dorsiflexor, hallux dorsiflexion and plantar flexor muscle strength measured in the supine position compared with the standing position. Muscle strength assessments are commonly performed in different body positions; however, the effect of weight-bearing and postural demands on ankle muscle strength measurements remains unclear. Understanding the influence of testing position may improve the standardization and clinical interpretation of muscle strength assessments.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ankle Dorsiflexor, Hallux Dorsiflexor and Plantar Flexor Strength
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Body Position During Muscle Strength Assessment

Detailed Description

Ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles play a crucial role in gait, balance, and postural control. Muscle strength measurements of these muscle groups are widely used in both clinical practice and research to evaluate functional capacity and rehabilitation outcomes. Traditionally, strength assessments are performed in non-weight-bearing positions such as supine; however, standing assessments may better reflect functional and postural demands due to the involvement of balance control and weight-bearing.

In this study, ankle dorsiflexor, hallux dorsiflexion and plantar flexor muscle strength will be assessed in both supine and standing positions using standardized measurement procedures. Measurements will be performed under controlled conditions to minimize variability related to posture, stabilization, and examiner influence. The primary objective is to compare muscle strength values obtained in the two positions and to determine whether standing assessments yield significantly different results compared with supine assessments.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the optimization of clinical muscle strength evaluation protocols and to provide insight into the role of functional loading and postural control in ankle muscle strength measurements.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 33
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul
    • Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye), 34180
      • Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy adults aged 18 years and older
• No history or clinical diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation
• Ability to stand independently and perform isometric muscle strength testing
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• History or clinical diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation
• Professional or elite athletes
• History of lower extremity surgery or neurological disease affecting muscle strength
• Acute musculoskeletal injury at the time of assessment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Supine Position; Ankle dorsiflexor , hallux dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscle strength assessed in the supine position.	Other: Body Position During Muscle Strength Assessment; Muscle strength was assessed in both supine and standing positions using standardized isometric testing. The order of testing positions and movement directions was randomized, and no visual feedback of force output was provided to participants.
Experimental: Standing Position; Ankle dorsiflexor, hallux dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscle strength assessed in the standing position.	Other: Body Position During Muscle Strength Assessment; Muscle strength was assessed in both supine and standing positions using standardized isometric testing. The order of testing positions and movement directions was randomized, and no visual feedback of force output was provided to participants.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Isometric Ankle Muscle Strength	maximum voluntary isometric contraction force of ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles measured in supine and standing positions using a custom made force plate	Day 1 ( Single assessment session)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Isometric Hallux Dorsiflexion Strength	Maximum voluntary isometric contraction force of the hallux dorsiflexor muscles measured in supine and standing positions using a custom made force plate	Day 1 ( Single assessment session)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 25, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 17, 2024
• Study Completion (Actual): December 17, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 5, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Foot biomechanics, muscle strength, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, hallux dorsiflexion, positional assessment
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2024-59

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No