Our toes often go unnoticed and receive little recognition. However, they play an important role in our body
Our pinky toe is no longer used for helping us cling to trees, and we only really pay attention to it when we accident.
Despite often being overlooked, our toes continue to play a crucial and advantageous role in our lives.
In a study conducted in 2009 and published in The Journal of Experimental Biology, researchers revealed the efficiency of different toe lengths in humans.
According to the researchers, it was revealed that individuals with smaller toes demonstrated higher energy efficiency while running compared to those with longer toes. This suggests that people with smaller toes have an advantage.
However, another study contradicted that and showed that sprinters typically possess longer toes, prioritizing short bursts of speed over energy conservation.
Although often disregarded, the pinky toe plays a crucial role in our body's functionality.
Each toe has its own significant role in maintaining our balance and facilitating forward movement. However, the pinky toe, often referred to as the 'little piggy,' has a surprisingly important function.
Dr. Bruce Pinker, a podiatrist at Progressive Foot Care, has revealed that the pinky toe serves a critical function in providing both balance and propulsion.
When we take a step, our foot naturally rolls from the outer edge to the inner edge. Meanwhile, the pinky toe plays a vital role in providing balance and propulsion.
He explained: “The purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion.“As one takes a step, the foot rolls from lateral to medial in normal foot biomechanics.”
In fact, we heavily rely on the balance provided by the heel, little toe, and big toe. If any of these three factors is compromised, our ability to stop, run, or walk is significantly hindered.
He explains that our gait would be compromised if we didn't have a pinky toe. He emphasizes that if one part of the tripod is missing, we risk losing our balance.
Dr. Wenjay Sung, an attending physician at White Memorial Medical Group, highlights to PopSci: “We walk like a tripod fashion, where the big toe knuckle, the fifth toe knuckle, and the heel, have a tripod walking ability.”
Moreover, in swimming, the pinky fingers can also assist us in floating
