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Floating Toes in schoolchildren on the rise.

By on June 13, 2021

The floating toe condition is currently attracting attention among researchers in Japan.

On May 28, the University of Yamanashi announced that 96.7% of 396 schoolchildren surveyed in Japan had floating toes. Floating toes mean that at least one toe on the foot is not touching the ground. The condition is usually harmless, but can potentially be the source of foot pain, posture and inability to balance. 

The study on floating toes’s link to postural stability (stationary balance) was conducted in children ages 7-8 from July 2019 to February 2020. The result was provided by the research team headed by Taro Fujimaki, Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Yamanashi Eco-Chill Research Koshin Unit Center and published in the US online scientific journal PLoS ONE.

Of the 400 children who participated in the Eco-Chill Survey for 8-year-old from July 2019 to February 2020, 396 (180 boys; 216 girls) underwent a static standing stability and body sway tests. In addition to the body sway test, physical exercise patterns of child and parents, blood tests, body composition such as body fat and muscle mass, and development tests were part of the study.

A follow-up survey was also conducted when the participants turned 13 years old to clarify the environmental factors that affect the health of children.

The floating toes score result was based on the sway length between the center of gravity and the center of pressure calculated from the pressure of the toes.

Healthy toes are important for proper weight distribution when standing or walking. The study suggests recent changes in lifestyle and a decrease in the frequency of outdoor play are to blame for the rise in floating toes.

The research team plans to use the data in a more multifaceted manner to further investigate the stability of floating toes and posture in children and how it develops as they grow older. The researchers will also further study whether the frequency of the condition will decrease over time.

 

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