Muscles Of The Foot And Lower Leg

Front 1

What are the purposes (4) of the intrsinsic muscles of the foot?

Back 1

1) hold/lengthen/spread toes on floor while standing
2) propel the foot in stepping/springing
3) maintain the arch (perhaps improve) when ligaments are lax
4) aid in shaping of the foot and toes and completing the curve of the foot in plantar flexion

Front 2

What are the (3) muscles of the foot with an anterior pathway? What do they do?

Back 2

1) tibialis anterior-
dorsiflexion + supination

2) flexor hallicus longus- dorsiflexion + supination

3) flexor digitorum longus- dorsiflexion + pronation

Front 3

What is Tibialis Anterior Overuse?

Back 3

if contracted, can limit depth of plie

so, don't always assume that a shallow plie is because of tight plantar flexors-->use imagery to soften front og ankle to disengage TA

Front 4

What are (3) muscles of the foot with a lateral pathway? What do they do?

Back 4

1) peroneus longus-
pronation + plantar flexion

2) peroneus brevis-
pronation + plantar flexion

3) peroneus tertius-
pronation + dorsiflexion

Front 5

What specifically do the peroneals do?

Back 5

-support the lateral arch
-provide lateral stability to the tarsus on half-toe

longus:
-supports calcaneus by passing under peroneal tubercle
-supports cuboid

Front 6

What will strengthening the pronators do for a dancer?

Back 6

-assist with flat lateral arch
-help reduce wobble on half toe (sickled foot)
-help compensate for Morton's Short Toe

Front 7

What are the (3) lower leg muscles of the posterior pathway?

Back 7

gastrocnemeus, soleus, plantaris
(plantar flexors)

Front 8

What does the Gastrocnemeus do?

Back 8

plantar flexion and knee flexion

-most powerful muscle in body due to: longest force arm, sheer size, diagonal fibers

most employed in locomotion, and pressing to half-toe, when knee is straight or nearly straight

Front 9

What does the Soleus do?

Back 9

plantar flexion

most employed when knee is bent and during adage work
susceptible to som type os "shin splint" injuries

implications: we need to stretch appropriate muscle following specific activites (soleus gets overlooked)

Front 10

What does the Plantaris do?

Back 10

plantar flexion and knee flexion

many don't have one

susceptible to tears with quick direction changes- loud "pop"

Front 11

What is Achilles Tendonitits, and what are implications for dancers?

Back 11

inflammation of the Achilles Tendon, due to overuse of gastroc/soleus complex

chronic inflammation can lead to avulsion of the tendon

implications:
if suspected, seek medical anntention immediately (don't continue dancing)

Front 12

What are the (3) foot muscles of the medial pathway, and what do they do?

Back 12

1) tibialis posterior-
plantar flexion + supination

2) extensor hallicus longus-
plantar flexion + supination

3) extensor digitorum longus-
plantar flexion + supination

-pass behind medial malleolus
-"sickled foot" muscles
-tend to be tight, b/c of habitual pronation (b/c they are anti-gravity muscles)

Front 13

What are implications for the overuse of the supinators?

Back 13

TP and FDL- prone to over-engagement in dancers, produces curling toes

FHL- prone to tenonditis from overuse (b/c of really long tendon

Front 14

What are the (3) functions of the FHL at the medial arch?

Back 14

1) support arch like the string of a bow
2) support the calcaneus medially
3) support the talus at its poetrior groove

Front 15

What is the medial arch supported by? (4)

Back 15

- adductor hallicus intrinsic
- tibialis posterior
- peroneus longus
- flexor hallicus longus

Front 16

What are the medial and lateral arches supported by?

Back 16

peroneus longus and tibialis posterior

Front 17

What are the implications of strengthening the muscles of the feet?

Back 17

- assist with correction of pronataion and pes planus, strengthen pronators and supinators

Front 18

Identify two structures that could be strengthened to assist the correction of pes planus.

Back 18

Strengthen intrinsics, pronators and supinators.

Front 19

List 2 muscles that dorsi-flex the ankle.

Back 19

Anterior Tibialis; Peroneus Tertius; Extensor Hallucis Longus; Extensor Digitorum Longus

Front 20

List 2 muscles that plantar flex the ankle.

Back 20

Gastrocnemius; Soleus; Plantaris; Tibialis Posterior; Flexor Hallucis Longus; Flexor Digitorum Longus; Peroneus Longus; Peronesu Brevis

Front 21

List one muscle that pronates the tarsus and one that supinates the tarsus.

Back 21

Pronators: Peroneus Longus, Brevis, Tertius; Extensor Digitorum Longus

Supinators: Extensor Hallucis Longus, Tibialis Anterior; Tibialis Posterior; Flexor Digitorum Longus; Flexor Hallucis Longus

Front 22

List two muscles that cause movement in the toes.

Back 22

Flexor Digitorum Longus; Flexor Hallucis Longus; Extensor Digitorum Longus; Extensor Hallucis Longus

Front 23

List an important function of the Peroneus Longus beyond its role as a pronator and plantar flexor.

Back 23

Gives lateral support to the tarsus, providing support for the lateral arch by bracing against the tarsus, lifting from under the arch, and by pulling upward on the arch by its line of pull. Also works with the Tibialis Posterior to create a sling under the arch.

Front 24

Why would a dancer who habitually pronates when weight-bearing have tight supinators?

Back 24

The supinators are anti-gravity muscles. When a dancer stands in a pronated position, it places the supinators on stretch, which forces them into a constant, low-grade contraction. This causes them to become tight.