A dynamic model of the windlass mechanism of the foot:​ evidence for early stance phase preloading of the plantar aponeurosis

Caravaggi, Paolo; Pataky, Todd; Goulermas, John Y.; Savage, Russel; Crompton, Robin

Affiliations

¹HACB, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Sherrington Buildings, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK

¹Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, UK

Abstract and keywords

In the present study we have estimated the temporal elongation of the plantar aponeurosis (PA) during normal walking using a subject-specific multi-segment rigid-body model of the foot. As previous studies have suggested that muscular forces at the ankle can pre-load the PA prior to heel-strike, the main purpose of the current study was to test, through modelling, whether there is any tension present in the PA during early stance phase. Reflective markers were attached to bony landmarks to track the kinematics of the calcaneus, metatarsus and toes during barefoot walking. Ultrasonography measurements were performed on three subjects to determine both the location of the origin of the PA on the plantar aspect of the calcaneus, and the radii of the metatarsal heads. Starting with the foot in a neutral, unloaded position, inverse kinematics allowed calculation of the tension in the five slips of the PA during the whole duration of the stance phase. The results show that the PA experienced tension significantly above rest during early stance phase in all subjects (P<0.01), thus providing support for the PA-preloading hypothesis. The amount of preloading and the maximum elongation of the slips of the PA decreased from medial to lateral. The mean maximum tension exerted by the PA was 1.5BW (body weight) over the three subjects.

Keywords: foot biomechanics; plantar aponeurosis; windlass mechanism; computer modelling; inverse kinematics

Links

DOI: 10.1242/jeb.025767

PubMed: 19617443

WoS: 000268136700031

History

Accepted: 2009-04-26

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2013	Lin S-C, Chen CPC, Tang SFT, Wong AMK, Hsieh J-H, Chen W-P. Changes in windlass effect in response to different shoe and insole designs during walking. Gait Post. February 2013;37(2):235-241.
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.
2010	Caravaggi P, Pataky T, Günther M, Savage R, Crompton R. Dynamics of longitudinal arch support in relation to walking speed: contribution of the plantar aponeurosis. J Anat. 2010;217(3):254-261.
2023	Davis DJ, Challis JH. Characterizing the mechanical function of the foot’s arch across steady-state gait modes. J Biomech. April 2023;151:111529.
2024	Molitor SL, Zelik KE, McDonald KA. Lower-limb dominance does not explain subject-specific foot kinematic asymmetries observed during walking and running. J Biomech. January 2024;162:111877.
2021	Welte L, Kelly LA, Kessler SE, Lieberman DE, D’Andrea SE, Lichtwark GA, Rainbow MJ. The extensibility of the plantar fascia influences the windlass mechanism during human running. Proc R Soc B. January 27, 2021;288(1943):20202095.
2021	Mettler JH. Strain Estimations of the Plantar Fascia and Other Ligaments of the Foot: Implications for Plantar Fasciitis [PhD thesis]. Iowa State University; 2021.
2020	Welte LKM. Arch-Rivals? The Roles of the Windlass and Arch-Spring Mechanisms in Running [PhD thesis]. Queen's University; September 2020.
2022	Eriksen Daehlin T. The Role of the Ankle Plantar Flexors, Extrinsic Foot Muscles, and Intrinsic Foot Muscles in Performing Propulsive Tasks [PhD thesis]. Edmonton, AB: University of Alberta; 2022.
2021	Čigoja S. Shoe Bending Stiffness and Muscle-Tendon Unit Function in Running [PhD thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; January 2021.
2014	Kelly LA. In-Vivo Function of Human Plantar Intrinsic Foot Muscles [PhD thesis]. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland; 2014.
2021	Molitor SL. Characterizing the Effect of Lower Limb Dominance on Foot Kinematics During Walking [Master's thesis]. Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University; May 14, 2021.
2013	Spratley EM. Patient-Specific Modeling of Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Before and After Surgery [PhD thesis]. Richmond, VA: Virginia Commonwealth University; 2013.