Morton Toe and Neuromuscular Performance

NCT07588048 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: GRU-SBF-NS-0610/492
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 47
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This cross-sectional observational study investigated whether female football players with Morton toe morphology differ from those with normal foot morphology in neuromuscular contractile properties and kinetic performance characteristics. Morton toe is a congenital foot variation in which the second toe is longer than the first. A total of 47 female football players were classified into two groups based on bilateral foot morphology: Morton foot group (n = 24) and normal foot group (n = 23). Neuromuscular properties of the dominant vastus lateralis muscle were assessed using tensiomyography, and kinetic performance was evaluated through a 40-cm drop jump test on dual force plates. The primary outcomes were contraction time (Tc) and reactive strength index (RSI). Secondary outcomes included relaxation time, delay time, sustain time, maximal displacement, jump height, peak power normalized to body mass, and landing net peak force normalized to body mass. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, body mass index, and mean arch index were used to evaluate whether group differences were independent of potential confounders. This study aimed to determine whether Morton toe morphology is associated with distinct neuromuscular and kinetic performance profiles in female athletes.

Conditions

Foot Morphology; Morton Toe; Neuromuscular Properties

Keywords

Morton toe; tensiomyography; reactive strength index; drop jump; foot morphology; female football; neuromuscular performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Contraction Time (Tc)

  Tensiomyographic contraction time of the dominant vastus lateralis muscle, defined as the time between 10% and 90% of maximal radial displacement (ms).

  Single measurement session

• Reactive Strength Index (RSI)

  Jump height divided by ground contact time during a 40-cm drop jump test (m/s). The trial with the highest RSI value out of three attempts was selected for analysis.

  Single measurement session

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Maximal Displacement (Dm)

  Single measurement session

• Relaxation Time (Tr)

  Single measurement session

• Delay Time (Td)

  Single measurement session

• Sustain Time (Ts)

  Single measurement session

• Jump Height (JH)

  Single measurement session

Study Arms (2)

Morton Foot Group

Female football players with bilateral Morton toe morphology, defined as a second metatarsal protrusion distance exceeding the first by more than 0.30 mm bilaterally (Δ ≤ -0.30 mm). n = 24.

Normal Foot Group

Female football players with bilateral normal foot morphology, defined as a first metatarsal protrusion distance exceeding the second by more than 0.30 mm bilaterally (Δ \> +0.30 mm). n = 23.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Female football players actively competing in organized leagues in Turkey, recruited from multiple teams during the 2025-2026 off-season period. A total of 97 players were initially screened; 47 met all eligibility criteria and were classified into Morton foot (n=24) and normal foot (n=23) groups.

You may qualify if:

• Active female football players with a valid sports license for the current season
• Regular participation in training and competitive matches
• Bilateral Morton toe morphology (Δ ≤ -0.30 mm on both feet) or bilateral normal foot morphology (Δ \> +0.30 mm on both feet)
• Body mass index between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m²
• Bilateral arch index between 14% and 29%
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Serious lower-extremity musculoskeletal injury within the past 12 months
• Neurological or orthopedic disease affecting measurement procedures
• Current use of pharmacological products affecting performance
• Acute pain, injury, or illness on the measurement day
• Menstruation on the measurement day (self-reported)
• Inconsistent bilateral foot morphology classification between feet
• Bilateral arch index below 14% (high arch) or above 29% (low arch)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Giresun University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Giresun University - Sports Science Faculty

Giresun, Centre, 28100, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Morton Neuroma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Metatarsalgia; Foot Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Joint Diseases; Neuralgia; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 8, 2026
• First Posted: May 14, 2026
• Study Start: January 10, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 15, 2026
• Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)