Previous studies generally selected one foot to classify participants into groups with different foot types and then analyzed the running or walking biomechanics for one limb. Such approach may have neglected the possible differences in foot morphology and gait between two limbs. This study aimed to compare the foot morphological characteristics and running kinematics of the lower extremities between the left and right limbs among a group of healthy, asymptomatic runners. Forty-four participants [20 females, 24 males; age 25.1 (6.5) years old; height 167.2 (7.0) cm; body mass 62.8 (8.1) kg] were recruited. Foot morphological characteristics were measured for both feet, and bilateral running kinematics were analyzed with 2D video analysis. No significant between-limb differences were found in the foot dimensions, hallux valgus (bunion) angle, or navicular drop (all p > 0.05). On the other hand, several kinematic variables were significantly different between the left and right limbs during running, including the peak foot eversion (p = 0.014), peak knee flexion (p = 0.002), and peak hip adduction (p < 0.001). The results indicate that runners with similar morphological characteristics between the left and right feet can display betweenlimb gait asymmetry during running. Researchers and practitioners should be aware of the potential between-limb asymmetry in running kinematics and foot morphology. Future studies should avoid arbitrarily analyzing one limb to represent a runner's gait or foot morphology.
The loadsol® wireless in-shoe force sensors can be useful for in-field measurements. However, its accuracy is unknown in the military context, whereby soldiers have to carry heavy loads and walk in military boots. The purpose of this study was to establish the validity of the loadsol® sensors in military personnel during loaded walking on flat, inclined and declined surfaces. Full-time Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel (n = 8) walked on an instrumented treadmill on flat, 10° inclined, and 10° declined gradients while carrying heavy loads (25 kg and 35 kg). Normal ground reaction forces (GRF), perpendicular to the contact surface, were simultaneously measured using both the loadsol® sensors inserted in the military boots and the Bertec instrumented treadmill as the gold standard. A total of eight variables of interest were compared between loadsol® and treadmill, including four kinetic (impact peak force, active peak force, impulse, loading rate) and four spatiotemporal (stance time, stride time, cadence, step length) variables. Validity was assessed using Bland–Altman plots and 95% Limits of Agreement (LoA). Bias was calculated as the mean difference between the values obtained from loadsol® and the instrumented treadmill. Results showed similar force-time profiles between loadsol® sensors and the instrumented treadmill. The bias of most variables was generally low, with a narrow range of LoA. The high accuracy and good agreement with standard laboratory equipment suggest that the loadsol® system is a valid tool for measuring normal GRF during walking in military boots under heavy load carriage.
Introduction: Foot inversion angle at initial foot strike is associated with various running-related injuries. Traditionally, video analysis of foot inversion angle has been accomplished by positioning a camera to record from the back view, but complications arise when a crossover gait obscures the area of measurement. This study aims to investigate the viability of measuring foot inversion angles at initial foot strike of running from the front view as an alternative to using the back view in 2D video analysis.Methods: Forty-four healthy runners (20 females, 24 males) ran at their self-selected speeds on a treadmill with their gait recorded from front and back camera views. Foot inversion angles at initial foot strike were analyzed using Kinovea. A 2 × 2 (Camera × Foot) ANOVA with repeated measures was performed on the foot inversion angle data. Subsequently, correlation and linear regression were performed to determine the relationship between the back and front-view measurements.Results: Thirteen runners (29.5%) displayed crossover gait within 18 gait cycles. ANOVA revealed a significant main effect on Camera (p < .001) only, where foot inversion angle was greater from the front camera view. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the front and back camera views (r = 0.388, p < .001). Regression analyses yielded an equation, y = 0.42 + 0.53 x, where y and x were the foot inversion angle measured from the back and front camera views, respectively.Discussion: With a linear regression conversion equation, front-view foot inversion angles at initial foot strike can be used to determine rearfoot inversion angles when crossover gait obstructs the back camera view.
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