The purpose of herringbone strutting to floor joists found in older dwellings or the solid noggin method used in newer builds is to distribute the weight across more than one joist, and also to help prevent the joists from twisting.

As can be seen from the diagram weight put onto one joist is carried to the joists on either side, this with floorboards gives a rigid floor.

Unfortunately on a lot of old and some new dwellings some of the herringbone or solid noggins may have been removed to run services and in some cases could be the cause of a springy feeling to the floor.

So it would be a good idea to avoid removing them to save on future problems.