A comparison of foot kinematics in people with normal- and flat-arched feet using the Oxford Foot Model

Levinger, Pazit; Murley, George S.; Barton, Christian J.; Cotchett, Matthew P.; McSweeney, Simone R.; Menz, Hylton B.

Affiliations

¹Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, VIC, Australia

²Department of Podiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, VIC, Australia

Abstract and keywords

Foot posture is thought to influence predisposition to overuse injuries of the lower limb. Although the mechanisms underlying this proposed relationship are unclear, it is thought that altered foot kinematics may play a role. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate differences in foot motion between people with normal- and flat-arched feet using the Oxford Foot Model (OFM). Foot posture in 19 participants was documented as normal-arched (n = 10) or flat-arched (n = 9) using a foot screening protocol incorporating measurements from weightbearing antero-posterior and lateral foot radiographs. Differences between the groups in triplanar motion of the tibia, rearfoot and forefoot during walking were evaluated using a three-dimensional motion analysis system incorporating a multi-segment foot model (OFM). Participants with flat-arched feet demonstrated greater peak forefoot plantar-flexion (−13.7° ± 5.6° vs −6.5° ± 3.7°; p = 0.004), forefoot abduction (−12.9° ± 6.9° vs −1.8° ± 6.3°; p = 0.002), and rearfoot internal rotation (10.6° ± 7.5° vs −0.2° ± 9.9°; p = 0.018) compared to those with normal-arched feet. Additionally, participants with flat-arched feet demonstrated decreased peak forefoot adduction (−7.0° ± 9.2° vs 5.6° ± 7.3°; p = 0.004) and a trend towards increased rearfoot eversion (−5.8° ± 4.4° vs −2.5° ± 2.6°; p = 0.06). These findings support the notion that flat-arched feet have altered motion associated with greater pronation during gait; factors that may increase the risk of overuse injury.

Keywords: Flat-arched feet; Oxford Foot Model; Gait; Foot kinematics

Links

DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.07.013

PubMed: 20696579

WoS: 000285235300015

History

Received: 2010-05-24

Revised: 2010-07-14

Accepted: 2010-07-18

Online: 2010-08-8

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Cited By (6)

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.
2023	Son Y, Lee KM, Koo S. Increase in lateral contact force in the tibiotalar joint during walking in flatfoot patients with reduced stiffness of the spring ligament [published correction appears in J Biomech. November 2023;160:111839]. J Biomech. August 2023;157:111711.
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.
2012	Wei F. Biomechanical Investigations and Computational Modeling of the Human Ankle [PhD thesis]. East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University; 2012.
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.