Study participant characteristics at baseline.

PurposeTo investigate the effects of an 8-week “periodized high-load” forefoot strengthening protocol on athlete’s metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPj) flexion torque, MTPj flexors volume, sprint acceleration, cutting, and jumping overall performance and kinetics.MethodsTwenty-height highly-trained athletes were randomized into a TRAINING or control group. Following a 4-week control period, TRAINING performed an 8-week forefoot strengthening protocol (2 sessions per week) followed by a 4-week detraining period. CONTROL group athletes were asked to continue their usual activities. During weeks 1, 5, 14 and 18, we assessed MTPj flexion torque, MTPj flexors volume, maximal sprint acceleration, 90-degree cutting, vertical and horizontal jumps, and foot-ankle hops. A linear mixed model was used along with individual statistical analyses using the minimal detectable change (MDC).ResultsTRAINING significantly and substantially increased MTPj flexion torque and MTPj flexors volume (effect size [ES]: 1.36–1.96; p ConclusionAn 8-week “periodized high-load” forefoot strengthening protocol allowed to improve MTPj maximal torque and MTPj flexors volume. This strength gains led also to cutting, horizontal jump overall performance and kinetics improvement as well as greater maximal speed propulsion kinetics. MTPj strength capacity may exert a more substantial impact on performance and kinetics on horizontally and medio-lateral-oriented explosive movements than on vertically-oriented ones.研究目的：探讨为期8周的“周期化高负荷”前足强化训练方案对运动员跖趾关节（metatarsophalangeal joints, MTPj）屈曲力矩、跖趾关节屈肌体积、短跑加速能力、变向能力以及跳跃整体表现与动力学特征的影响。研究方法：将28名高水平训练运动员随机分为训练组（TRAINING）与对照组（CONTROL）。在为期4周的基线对照期后，训练组执行8周前足强化训练方案（每周2次训练），随后进入4周停训期；对照组运动员则维持日常活动不变。分别于第1、5、14和18周，对受试者的跖趾关节屈曲力矩、跖趾关节屈肌体积、最大短跑加速能力、90度变向能力、垂直与水平跳跃表现以及足踝跳动作进行评估。本研究采用线性混合模型结合基于最小可检测变化（MDC）的个体统计分析方法。研究结果：训练组的跖趾关节屈曲力矩与跖趾关节屈肌体积显著且实质性提升（效应量[ES]：1.36~1.96；p[原文未完整给出]）。研究结论：为期8周的“周期化高负荷”前足强化训练方案可有效提升跖趾关节最大力矩与跖趾关节屈肌体积。该力量提升同时可改善变向能力、水平跳跃整体表现与动力学特征，以及最大速度推进动力学特征。相较于垂直定向爆发运动，跖趾关节力量水平对水平及内外向定向爆发运动的表现与动力学特征具有更为显著的影响。