Kinetic role of the metatarsophalangeal joint in normal walking:​ joint moment and power

Kim, Youngho<sup>1</sup>; Kim, Seunghyeon<sup>1</sup>; Son, Jongsang<sup>1</sup>; Jeong, Bora<sup>1</sup>

Affiliations

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering & Institute of Medical Engineering, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Maeji-ri, Heungeop-myeon, Wonju, Gangwon, Korea, 220-710

Abstract and keywords

Joint moment and power of the metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint in normal horizontal barefoot walking were determined in this study. The three-dimensional motion analysis with synchronous measurements of ground reaction forces and foot pressure distribution was performed with the two-segment foot model. Twenty-two adult subjects were selected for the study. Compared to the previous studies, results of this study showed reasonable joint moments from foot-flat to toe-off. The MP joint angles showed a very good agreement with the previous studies. The maximum MP joint moment was 0.13 ± 0.04 Nm/kg at pre-swing, approximately one-tenth of the ankle joint moment. A considerable energy absorption of approximately 6.56 %GC J/kg was found at the MP joint during 30~60% of the gait cycle. This study would be beneficial to understand the mechanism of various foot diseases such as hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis.

Keywords: Metatarsophalangeal joint, Inverse dynamics, Joint moment, Joint power, Energy

Links

DOI: 10.1007/s12541-012-0195-z

History

Received: 2001-11-29

Accepted: 2012-03-12

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