Midfoot passive stiffness affects foot and ankle kinematics and kinetics during the propulsive phase of walking

Magalhães, Fabrício Anicio; Fonseca, Sérgio Teixeira da; Araújo, Vanessa Lara; Trede, Renato Guilherme; Oliveira, Lílian Marques; Castor, Camila Gomes Miranda e; Pinto, Rafael Zambelli; Souza, Thales R.

doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110328

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The differences in LA shape-associated midtarsal kinematics also seem to translate to kinematic and kinetic differences in the joints proximal and distal to the LA, consistent with the reported mechanical interactions between these joints (Arch and Fylstra, 2016; Carlson et al, 2000; Farris et al, 2020; Magalhães et al, 2021; Smith et al, 2021). Though these mechanical differences appear to exist during level locomotion, they are also apparent during incline and decline conditions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Foot form and function: Variable and versatile, yet sufficiently related to predict one from the other

Schuster

Cresswell

Kelly

2022

Preprint

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The modern human foot is a complex structure thought to play an important role in our ability to walk and run efficiently. Comparisons of our feet to those of our evolutionary ancestors and closest living relatives have linked the shape of several foot components (e.g., the longitudinal and transverse arches, size of the heel and length of the toes) to specific mechanical functions. But since foot shape varies widely across the modern human population, this study aimed to investigate how closely foot shape, deformation and joint mechanics during various locomotor tasks are actually linked. And whether the latter can be accurately predicted based entirely on the former two. A statistical shape-function model (SFM) was constructed by performing a principal component analysis on 100 participants' three-dimensional foot scans, and joint angles and moments captured during level, uphill, and downhill walking and running. This SFM revealed that the main sources of variation were the longitudinal and transverse arches, relative foot proportions and toe shape along with their associated joint mechanics. However, each of these only accounted for a small proportion of the overall variation in foot shape, deformation and joint mechanics, most likely due to the high structural complexity and variability of the foot. Nevertheless, a leave-one-out analysis showed that the SFM can be used to accurately predict the joint angles and moments of a new foot based only on its shape. These results have implications and potential applicability across numerous fields, such as evolutionary anthropology, podiatry, orthopaedics and footwear design.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Foot form and function: Variable and versatile, yet sufficiently related to predict one from the other

Schuster

Cresswell

Kelly

2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Yet, isolated studies such as Magalhães et al provide some reason for continued research. They found that individuals with greater foot mobility had increased range of motion in both the frontal and sagittal planes at the midfoot joint complex during walking compared to individuals with less foot mobility [41]. Thus, the relationship between foot structure and function is nuanced and warrants further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of the windlass mechanism on kinematic and kinetic foot joint coupling

Williams

Ridge

Johnson

et al. 2022

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

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Background Previous research shows kinematic and kinetic coupling between the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and midtarsal joints during gait. Studying the effects of MTP position as well as foot structure on this coupling may help determine to what extent foot coupling during dynamic and active movement is due to the windlass mechanism. This study’s purpose was to investigate the kinematic and kinetic foot coupling during controlled passive, active, and dynamic movements. Methods After arch height and flexibility were measured, participants performed four conditions: Seated Passive MTP Extension, Seated Active MTP Extension, Standing Passive MTP Extension, and Standing Active MTP Extension. Next, participants performed three heel raise conditions that manipulated the starting position of the MTP joint: Neutral, Toe Extension, and Toe Flexion. A multisegment foot model was created in Visual 3D and used to calculate ankle, midtarsal, and MTP joint kinematics and kinetics. Results Kinematic coupling (ratio of midtarsal to MTP angular displacement) was approximately six times greater in Neutral heel raises compared to Seated Passive MTP Extension, suggesting that the windlass only plays a small kinematic role in dynamic tasks. As the starting position of the MTP joint became increasingly extended during heel raises, the amount of negative work at the MTP joint and positive work at the midtarsal joint increased proportionally, while distal-to-hindfoot work remained unchanged. Correlations suggest that there is not a strong relationship between static arch height/flexibility and kinematic foot coupling. Conclusions Our results show that there is kinematic and kinetic coupling within the distal foot, but this coupling is attributed only in small measure to the windlass mechanism. Additional sources of coupling include foot muscles and elastic energy storage and return within ligaments and tendons. Furthermore, our results suggest that the plantar aponeurosis does not function as a rigid cable but likely has extensibility that affects the effectiveness of the windlass mechanism. Arch structure did not affect foot coupling, suggesting that static arch height or arch flexibility alone may not be adequate predictors of dynamic foot function.

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Section: Arch Flexibility and Arch Height Versus Kinematic Couplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of the Windlass Mechanism on Kinematic and Kinetic Foot Joint Coupling

Williams

Ridge

Johnson

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Previous research shows kinematic and kinetic coupling between the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and midtarsal joints during gait. Studying the effects of MTP position as well as foot structure on this coupling may help determine to what extent foot coupling during dynamic and active movement is due to the windlass mechanism. This study’s purpose was to investigate the kinematic and kinetic foot coupling during controlled passive, active, and dynamic movements. Methods: After arch height and flexibility were measured, participants performed four conditions: Seated Passive MTP Extension, Seated Active MTP Extension, Standing Passive MTP Extension, and Standing Active MTP Extension. Next, participants performed three heel raise conditions that manipulated the starting position of the MTP joint: Neutral, Toe Extension, and Toe Flexion. A multisegment foot model was created in Visual 3D and used to calculate ankle, midtarsal, and MTP joint kinematics and kinetics. Results: Kinematic coupling (ratio of midtarsal to MTP angular displacement) was approximately six times greater in Neutral heel raises compared to Seated Passive MTP Extension, suggesting that the windlass only plays a small kinematic role in dynamic tasks. As the starting position of the MTP joint became increasingly extended during heel raises, the amount of negative work at the MTP joint and positive work at the midtarsal joint increased proportionally, while distal-to-hindfoot work remained unchanged. Correlations suggest that there is not a strong relationship between static arch height/flexibility and kinematic foot coupling. Conclusions: Our results show that there is kinematic and kinetic coupling within the distal foot, but this coupling is attributed only in small measure to the windlass mechanism. Additional sources of coupling include foot muscles and elastic energy storage and return within ligaments and tendons. Furthermore, our results suggest that the plantar aponeurosis does not function as a rigid cable but likely has extensibility that affects the effectiveness of the windlass mechanism. Arch structure did not affect foot coupling, suggesting that static arch height or arch flexibility alone may not be adequate predictors of dynamic foot function.

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Midfoot passive stiffness affects foot and ankle kinematics and kinetics during the propulsive phase of walking

Cited by 11 publications

References 35 publications

Foot form and function: Variable and versatile, yet sufficiently related to predict one from the other

Foot form and function: Variable and versatile, yet sufficiently related to predict one from the other

The influence of the windlass mechanism on kinematic and kinetic foot joint coupling

The Influence of the Windlass Mechanism on Kinematic and Kinetic Foot Joint Coupling

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