Inter-segment foot motion and ground reaction forces over the stance phase of walking

Hunt, Adrienne E.; Smith, Richard M.; Torode, Marg; Keenan, Anne-Maree

Affiliations

¹Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Physiotherapy, The University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia

²Faculty of Health Science, School of Exercise and Sport Science, The University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW 1825, Australia

³Faculty of Health, The University of Western Sydney, Australia

Abstract and keywords

Objective: To compare the magnitude and patterns of motion of the rearfoot segment relative to the leg, forefoot segment relative to the rearfoot, height change in the medial longitudinal arch and ground reaction forces of normal adult males during the stance phase of walking.

Background: Knowledge of normal motion of the rearfoot and forefoot segments and of the arch during stance phase is important in clinical management.

Methods: Motion data were obtained from surface markers, and force data from a force plate, from the right limb of participants while walking at a self-selected pace.

Results: Stance phase range of motion across sagittal, frontal and transverse planes was 12°, 4° and 10° for the forefoot, compared to 22°, 8° and 10° for the rearfoot. Most motion occurred at the beginning and end of stance phase when support was via only the rearfoot or forefoot, and when forces were maximal. Arch height decreased from heel contact and increased after heel rise to its maximum at toe-off.

Conclusions: The extent of forefoot segment motion confirms the significance of midfoot joints to normal foot function. Between foot flat and heel rise, the forefoot pattern of motion is indicative of foot stability. Typical foot motion does not obey descriptions of triplanar motion such as `pronation' and `supination'.

Relevance: Typical stance phase foot motion has been described according to a forefoot:rearfoot model and rearfoot:leg model of motion, together with profiles of medial longitudinal arch height and ground reaction forces. This information can be applied in the management of foot dysfunction and should stimulate research into midfoot motion and overall control of the foot.

Keywords: Forefoot; Rearfoot; Midfoot; Stance; Walking; Typical motion

Links

DOI: 10.1016/S0268-0033(01)00040-7

PubMed: 11470301

WoS: 000170714500006

History

Received: 2000-08-04

Accepted: 2001-05-01

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2019	Ho NC, Sangiorgio SN, Cassinelli S, Shymon S, Fleming J, Agrawal V, Ebramzadeh E, Harris TG. Biomechanical comparison of fixation stability using a Lisfranc plate versus transarticular screws. Foot Ankle Surg. February 2019;25(1):71-78.
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2010	Levinger P, Murley GS, Barton CJ, Cotchett MP, McSweeney SR, Menz HB. A comparison of foot kinematics in people with normal- and flat-arched feet using the Oxford Foot Model. Gait Post. October 2010;32(4):519-523.
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2017	Marouane H. Biomécanique de l'articulation du genou humain durant la marche: Un modèle musculosquelettique hybride [PhD thesis]. École polytechnique de Montréal; March 2017.
2011	Su A. The Functional Morphology of Subchondral and Trabecular Bone in the Hominoid Tibiotalar Joint [PhD thesis]. Stony Brook, NY: Stony Brook University; August 2011.
2018	Roach KE. Development, Validation, and Application of Dynamic Imaging to Quantify in Vivo Kinematics of the Foot and Ankle [PhD thesis]. University of Utah; December 2018.