Do you have foot pain? Here’s a simple exercise to help strengthen the big toe short flexor, which is used for pushing off as you run or walk. This helps to strengthen the arch of the foot, lessening big toe pain as well.

Looking at how the toe curls, the big toe can curl at the end joint, as well as at the bottom joint. What we want to work on is strengthening the short toe flexor, which has the muscle along the arch of the foot. This strengthens the arch, helping with push off and strength.

Push down with your finger, just below the big toe joint. Hold for a count of 10 seconds. You can see the muscle popping up as I do that.
Relax, push down again, hold for 10 seconds. Relax again
Try to avoid curling the end joint if you can, and focus on pushing on the shorter joint.
We’re going to work here to hold for 10 seconds and aim to repeat.

Work to fatigue, perhaps 10 to 20 repetitions. This will help wake this muscle up, making it work better as you run.

You can find more big toe and foot exercises here.