Effect of Arch Compression on Plantar Fascia Strain

NewsBot · Apr 8, 2016

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The Role of Arch Compression and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dynamics in Modulating Plantar Fascia Strain in Running.
McDonald KM, Stearne S, Alderson J, North I, Pires NJ, Rubenson J
PLoS One. 2016 Apr 7;11(4):e0152602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152602.

Elastic energy returned from passive-elastic structures of the lower limb is fundamental in lowering the mechanical demand on muscles during running. The purpose of this study was to investigate the two length-modulating mechanisms of the plantar fascia, namely medial longitudinal arch compression and metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) excursion, and to determine how these mechanisms modulate strain, and thus elastic energy storage/return of the plantar fascia during running. Eighteen runners (9 forefoot and 9 rearfoot strike) performed three treadmill running trials; unrestricted shod, shod with restricted arch compression (via an orthotic-style insert), and barefoot. Three-dimensional motion capture and ground reaction force data were used to calculate lower limb kinematics and kinetics including MPJ angles, moments, powers and work. Estimates of plantar fascia strain due to arch compression and MPJ excursion were derived using a geometric model of the arch and a subject-specific musculoskeletal model of the plantar fascia, respectively. The plantar fascia exhibited a typical elastic stretch-shortening cycle with the majority of strain generated via arch compression. This strategy was similar in fore- and rear-foot strike runners. Restricting arch compression, and hence the elastic-spring function of the arch, was not compensated for by an increase in MPJ-derived strain. In the second half of stance the plantar fascia was found to transfer energy between the MPJ (energy absorption) and the arch (energy production during recoil). This previously unreported energy transfer mechanism reduces the strain required by the plantar fascia in generating useful positive mechanical work at the arch during running.
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Admin2 · Apr 8, 2016

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mike weber · Apr 9, 2016

Full text The Role of Arch Compression and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dynamics in Modulating Plantar Fascia Strain in Running

Something we have discussed here for years the role of the arch spring and Plantar fascia complex

more coffee and a read for me early Saturday morning

BEN-HUR · Apr 13, 2016

Now this is an interesting study (http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0152602):

Functional Implications

It has previously been suggested that orthotics with high medial profiles can effectively reduce PLF strain [12] and this is supported in the present study. Inserts designed to reduce PLF strain may have functional implications for the treatment of plantar fasciitis given that attenuated PLF strain has been associated with lessened symptoms [39]. From a performance perspective however, the use of rigid arch supporting orthotics has the potential to impair PLF spring function by limiting the maximum strain that can be developed. It may therefore be important that clinicians prescribing orthotics consider the energetic consequences of restricting arch compression [5], especially when the patient partakes in regular endurance running.

Salzler, Bluman [40] assessed running injuries concomitant with the transition from a shod to a barefoot gait. From a sample of ten subjects, eight presented with metatarsal fractures and one with a rupture of the PLF. The increased negative work at the MPJ and the trend for greater peak PLF strain (p = 0.059) observed for the barefoot condition may be linked to these respective injuries, and this should be considered if converting from shod to barefoot running. Endurance athletes however, could potentially benefit from enhanced PLF elastic energy return that may be associated with barefoot running, especially at higher running velocities than used in this study.
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The above is a loaded (excuse pun :rolleyes:) couple of paragraphs! I've been bewildered by the extent of very rigid orthotics (i.e. carbon fibre, with absolutely no flexion/give under substantial force) given to runners. Any wonder they hated them i.e. found it very difficult to tolerate, received blistering (within plantar arch area) & additional symptoms whilst on them i.e. hip pain... amongst other issues.

Studies like this could correlate quite well (to greater understanding of optimal orthotic traits/materials for individuals & the nature of their intended activity) within discussions of the following nature i.e. discussions within the following thread: "Measuring and recording Supination Resistance Test Results clinically" (http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.php?t=105875).

NewsBot · Jul 13, 2018

The energetic behaviour of the human foot across a range of running speeds
Luke A. Kelly, Andrew G. Cresswell & Dominic J. Farris
Scientific Reports volume 8, Article number: 10576 (2018)

The human foot contains passive elastic tissues that have spring-like qualities, storing and returning mechanical energy and other tissues that behave as dampers, dissipating energy. Additionally the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles have the capacity to act as dampers and motors, dissipating and generating mechanical energy. It remains unknown as to how the contribution of all passive and active tissues combine to produce the overall energetic function of the foot during running. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the foot behaves globally as an active spring-damper during running. Fourteen participants ran on a force-instrumented treadmill at 2.2 ms−1, 3.3 ms−1 and 4.4 ms−1, while foot segment motion was collected simultaneously with kinetic measurements. A unified deformable segment model was applied to quantify the instantaneous power of the foot segment during ground contact and mechanical work was calculated by integrating the foot power data. At all running speeds, the foot absorbed energy from early stance through to mid-stance and subsequently returned/generated a proportion of this energy in late stance. The magnitude of negative work performed increased with running speed, while the magnitude of positive work remained relatively constant across all running speeds. The proportion of energy dissipated relative to that absorbed (foot dissipation-ratio) was always greater than zero and increased with running speed, suggesting that the foot behaves as a viscous spring-damper.
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NewsBot · Jul 26, 2021

Foot strike may not affect longitudinal arch compression
Scott Tucker,Natalie Harold,Sarah R. Chang &David Boone
Footwear Science Pages S16-S18: 13 Jul 2021

Introduction
The longitudinal arch (LA) has been theorised to attenuate impact forces during running by absorbing the body’s gravitational kinetic energy through compression (Ker et al., 1987). The effect of the foot strike on LA function as a shock absorber has been studied for limited strike patterns, but without direct measurement of the forces (Stearne et al., 2016). Previous research quantifies the net effect of variables involved in LA compression such as bone and joint anatomy, ligament laxity, and muscle and tendon tension/elasticity using a static Arch Height Index (AHI) which may not capture the dynamic range of compression during running (Sheykhi-Dolagh et al., 2015).

Purpose of the study
In this study, we analysed the function of the LA during running using vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) measurements of four plantar regions at controlled foot strike patterns and running velocities. The experimental design allowed precise measurement of LA dynamics at impact separately from propulsion, and provides a new method for investigating differences in individual arch morphology and arch function in general.

Methods
The hypothesis that strike pattern effects the amplitudes and frequencies of plantar forces was tested in a controlled barefoot experiment including 270 trials using a Matscan system (Tekscan Inc.) operating at 476 Hz. All individuals provided written informed consent for the IRB-approved study. The healthy participants ran according to preset stride length markers, a metronome, and prescribed strike patterns on a level 60 m indoor runway. Matscan sensors allowed precise delineation of the plantar regions and measurement of each region’s vGRF profiles and timing of touchdown. Plantar regions were identified visually for each trial from the maps of peak force and segregated with bounding boxes for vGRF analysis.

We define a new dimensionless parameter, Arch Force Ratio (AFR), to measure arch compression as a function of vGRF. AFR is the ratio of the LA force amplitude to the calcaneal (heel) amplitude during impact or propulsion. A ratio of 0 indicates a high arch that has no ground contact, and a ratio of 1 means the vGRF amplitude for the heel and arch are the same. Using AFR instead of absolute force values or AHI allows non-static measurement and comparison of different foot morphologies. Foot strike Time (FT) is dimensionally defined as the time differential between calcaneal contact and metatarsal contact.

Results and discussion
A higher AFR indicates greater arch compression, and AFR was consistently greater at peak propulsion than at peak impact (Figure 1).

The sum of plantar force amplitudes was found to increase with running velocity at impact (p = 0.006) and at propulsion (p = 0.005). However, the sums of these force amplitudes did not correlate strongly with foot strike. Similarly, AFR increased between impact to propulsion (p < 0.001), indicating that the arch compresses in response to increasing force. The data show a weak correlation between FT and AFR at impact and propulsion for any study participant (Figure 2). Statistical comparisons of 270 trials were made using single-factor ANOVA (α = 0.05).

Conclusion
Arch compression, as quantified by AFR, increased with absolute force, but was not altered significantly by the foot strike pattern. The study finds AFR to be a consistent measure of LA compression under dynamic conditions and an informative investigative tool.
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NewsBot · Jul 12, 2022

Novel Multi-Segment Foot Model Incorporating Plantar Aponeurosis for Detailed Kinematic and Kinetic Analyses of the Foot With Application to Gait Studies
Yuka Matsumoto et al
Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022 Jun 24

Kinetic multi-segment foot models have been proposed to evaluate the forces and moments generated in the foot during walking based on inverse dynamics calculations. However, these models did not consider the plantar aponeurosis (PA) despite its potential importance in generation of the ground reaction forces and storage and release of mechanical energy. This study aimed to develop a novel multi-segment foot model incorporating the PA to better elucidate foot kinetics. The foot model comprised three segments: the phalanx, forefoot, and hindfoot. The PA was modeled using five linear springs connecting the origins and the insertions via intermediate points. To demonstrate the efficacy of the foot model, an inverse dynamic analysis of human gait was performed and how the inclusion of the PA model altered the estimated joint moments was examined. Ten healthy men walked along a walkway with two force plates placed in series close together. The attempts in which the participant placed his fore- and hindfoot on the front and rear force plates, respectively, were selected for inverse dynamic analysis. The stiffness and the natural length of each PA spring remain largely uncertain. Therefore, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate how the estimated joint moments were altered by the changes in the two parameters within a range reported by previous studies. The present model incorporating the PA predicted that 13%-45% of plantarflexion in the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and 8%-29% of plantarflexion in the midtarsal joints were generated by the PA at the time of push-off during walking. The midtarsal joint generated positive work, whereas the MTP joint generated negative work in the late stance phase. The positive and negative work done by the two joints decreased, indicating that the PA contributed towards transfer of the energy absorbed at the MTP joint to generate positive work at the midtarsal joint during walking. Although validation is limited due to the difficulty associated with direct measurement of the PA force in vivo, the proposed novel foot model may serve as a useful tool to clarify the function and mechanical effects of the PA and the foot during dynamic movements.
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