A comparison of subtalar joint motion during anticipated medial cutting turns and level walking using a multi-segment foot model

Jenkyn, T. R.<sup>1,2,3</sup>; Shultz, R.<sup>1</sup>; Giffin, J. R.<sup>1,4</sup>; Birmingham, T. B.<sup>1,5</sup>

Affiliations

¹Wolf Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

²Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

³School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

⁴Department of Surgery, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

⁵School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

Abstract and keywords

The weight-bearing in-vivo kinematics and kinetics of the talocrural joint, subtalar joint and joints of the foot were quantified using optical motion analysis. Twelve healthy subjects were studied during level walking and anticipated medial turns at self-selected pace. A multi-segment model of the foot using skin-mounted marker triads tracked four foot segments: the hindfoot, midfoot, lateral and medial forefoot. The lower leg and thigh were also tracked. Motion between each of the segments could occur in three degrees of rotational freedom, but only six inter-segmental motions were reported in this study: (1) talocrural dorsi-plantar-flexion, (2) subtalar inversion–eversion, (3) frontal plane hindfoot motion, (4) transverse plane hindfoot motion, (5) forefoot supination–pronation twisting and (6) the height-to-length ratio of the medial longitudinal arch.

The motion at the subtalar joint during stance phase of walking (eversion then inversion) was reversed during a turning task (inversion then eversion). The external subtalar joint moment was also changed from a moderate eversion moment during walking to a larger inversion moment during the turn. The kinematics of the talocrural joint and the joints of the foot were similar between these two tasks.

During a medial turn, the subtalar joint may act to maintain the motions in the foot and talocrural joint that occur during level walking. This is occurring despite the conspicuously different trajectory of the centre of mass of the body. This may allow the foot complex to maintain its function of energy absorption followed by energy return during stance phase that is best suited to level walking.

Keywords: Foot; Kinematics; Gait analysis; Hindfoot; Forefoot; Ankle; Subtalar; Joint biomechanics

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2009.09.016

PubMed: 19897368

WoS: 000274584800002

History

Received: 2008-10-14

Revised: 2009-09-23

Accepted: 2009-09-28

Online: 2009-11-8

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Cited By (3)

Year	Entry
2013	Riley PO, Kent RW, Dierks TA, Lievers WB, Frimenko RE, Crandall JR. Foot kinematics and loading of professional athletes in American football-specific tasks. Gait Post. September 2013;38(4):563-569.
2012	John CT. Stabilization of Human Walking by Muscles Revealed Using Three-Dimensional Muscle-Driven Simulations [PhD thesis]. Stanford University; March 2012.
2019	Oikawa LY. Quantitative Analysis of the Kinematics of the Foot During Gait With Respect to Barefoot Running Shoes Using a Multi-Segment Foot Model [Master's thesis]. University of Western Ontario; 2019.