Age-related differences in foot structure and function

NewsBot · Sep 2, 2006

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Age-related differences in foot structure and function.
Gait Posture. 2006 Aug 29;
Scott G, Menz HB, Newcombe L

The aim of this study was to compare foot characteristics and plantar force and pressure patterns in young and older people. Fifty young (mean age 20.9+/-2.6 years) and 50 older (mean age 80.2+/-5.7 years) people without foot problems underwent tests of foot posture, range of motion, strength, sensation and deformity. Plantar force and pressure distribution during gait were evaluated using a floor-mounted resistive sensor mat system. Older participants exhibited flatter/more pronated feet, reduced range of motion of the ankle and 1st metatarsophalangeal joints, a higher prevalence of hallux valgus, toe deformities and toe plantarflexor weakness, and reduced plantar tactile sensitivity. Plantar pressure analysis revealed decreased magnitude of forces and pressures under the heel (-13% to 16%), metatarsophalangeal joints (-11% to 16%) and hallux (-19% to 25%), but greater relative contact time under the heel (+21%), midfoot (+14%) and metatarsophalangeal joints (+5% to 8%) in older participants. Multiple regression analysis revealed that these age-related differences could be largely explained by differences in step length and various foot characteristics, particularly foot posture and the severity of hallux valgus. These findings indicate that ageing is associated with significant changes in foot characteristics which contribute to altered plantar loading patterns during gait.
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drsha · May 16, 2012

NewsBot said: ↑

Age-related differences in foot structure and function.
Gait Posture. 2006 Aug 29;
Scott G, Menz HB, Newcombe L
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This reference seems to correlate with the possibility that our foot posture greatly affects our adult lives with pathology and unwanted compensations.

Casting these feet in STJ Neutral position and capturing their collapse does not make sense in these cases.

Noting the positions of the young roup and comparing them to the older group would suggest that the younger group was overall in a more optimal functional position ans if we could maintain (preventive) or recreate that position (post collapse) our orthotic shells would be more effective.

I wonder what the authors and readership thinks?

Dennis

NewsBot · Oct 13, 2013

Differences in foot kinematics between young and older adults during walking
John B. Arnold, Shylie Mackintosh, Sara Jones, Dominic Thewlis
Gait & Posture;10 October 2013

Our understanding of age-related changes to foot function during walking has mainly been based on plantar pressure measurements, with little information on differences in foot kinematics between young and older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in foot kinematics between young and older adults during walking using a multi-segment foot model. Joint kinematics of the foot and ankle for 20 young (mean age 23.2 years, standard deviation (SD) 3.0) and 20 older adults (mean age 73.2 years, SD 5.1) were quantified during walking with a 12 camera Vicon motion analysis system using a five segment kinematic model. Differences in kinematics were compared between older adults and young adults (preferred and slow walking speeds) using Student's t-tests or if indicated, Mann-Whitney U tests. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the differences were also computed. The older adults had a less plantarflexed calcaneus at toe-off (-9.6° vs. -16.1°, d = 1.0, p = <0.001), a smaller sagittal plane range of motion (ROM) of the midfoot (11.9° vs. 14.8°, d = 1.3, p = <0.001) and smaller coronal plane ROM of the metatarsus (3.2° vs. 4.3°, d = 1.1, p = 0.006) compared to the young adults. Walking speed did not influence these differences, as they remained present when groups walked at comparable speeds. The findings of this study indicate that independent of walking speed, older adults exhibit significant differences in foot kinematics compared to younger adults, characterised by less propulsion and reduced mobility of multiple foot segments.
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Highlights
•Multi-segment foot kinematics were compared between older and young adults.
•Older adults displayed calcaneus kinematics indicative of a less propulsive gait.
•The midfoot and metatarsus were less mobile in the older adults.
•Age-related differences in foot kinematics exist independent of walking speed.
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NewsBot · Aug 6, 2014

Press release:
Researchers determine why tendons break down with age
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) have identified differences in the proteins present in young and old tendons, in new research that could guide the development of treatments to stop tissue breakdown from occurring.

Tendon structure in horses is similar to humans, and both face common injuries. The researchers used a horse model to undertake a thorough analysis of all the proteins and protein fragments present in healthy and injured tendons.

Working with scientists at the University of Liverpool, the team collected data, which shows that healthy, older tendons have a greater amount of fragmented material within them, suggesting accumulated damage over time that has not been fully repaired.

When examining injured tendons, the team found even more evidence of protein breakdown. However, whilst in younger tendons, the cells were active and trying to repair the damage, there was an accumulation of different protein fragments in older tendons. This suggests the cells somehow lose the ability to repair damage during the ageing process.

“Normal function of tendons, such as the Achilles, is important not just for Commonwealth athletes but for everyday activities for ordinary people,” said co-author Dr Hazel Screen, a Reader in biomedical engineering at QMUL's School of Engineering and Materials Science and Institute of Bioengineering.

She added: “This is the first study of its kind, and provides evidence that the increased risk of tendon injury with ageing might be due to a reduced ability of tendon cells to repair damage effectively.”

This novel information is an important first step towards understanding how our tissues break down as we age and could help us find ways to prevent it occurring in the future.
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