Effect of Walking Speed on Foot Kinematics

NewsBot · Dec 30, 2016

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
The Effect of Walking Speed on Foot Kinematics is Modified When Increased Pronation is Induced.
Joana F. Hornestam, Thales R. Souza, Paula Arantes, Juliana Ocarino, and Paula L. Silva
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association: November 2016, Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 419-426.

Background: The relation between walking speed and foot kinematics during gait is not well established, and neither is it clear whether this relation is modified in the presence of factors expected to increase pronation (eg, abnormal foot alignment). Understanding how foot kinematics is affected by walking speed under varying conditions could contribute to our understanding of stresses to the musculoskeletal system during walking. We evaluated the effect of walking speed on foot kinematics in the frontal plane during gait and determined whether this effect is modified by using medially inclined insoles that force the foot into increased pronation.

Methods: Twenty-six healthy young adults were assessed while walking on a treadmill wearing flat insoles and wearing medially inclined insoles. Foot kinematics in the frontal plane was measured with a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Data were analyzed during the stance phase of gait.

Results: There was no main effect of speed on average calcaneal position. However, there was a significant insole type × walking speed interaction effect. In the flat insole condition, increased walking speed was associated with a less inverted average calcaneal position (or greater magnitudes of eversion), whereas in the inclined insole condition, higher speeds were associated with a less everted average calcaneal position (or increased magnitudes of inversion).

Conclusions: The magnitude of foot eversion increases at faster gait speeds under typical conditions. In the presence of factors that induce excessive pronation, however, this effect is reversed. Results suggest that individuals use greater active control of foot motion at faster speeds in the presence of excessive pronation to improve push-off efficiency. Potential clinical consequences of this functional strategy are discussed.
Click to expand...

Craig Payne · Dec 30, 2016

NewsBot said: ↑

The magnitude of foot eversion increases at faster gait speeds under typical conditions. In the presence of factors that induce excessive pronation, however, this effect is reversed. Results suggest that individuals use greater active control of foot motion at faster speeds in the presence of excessive pronation to improve push-off efficiency
Click to expand...

If we accept that "overpronation" is a problem, then that is an interesting finding.

NewsBot · Dec 25, 2018

The impact of walking speed on the kinetic behaviour of different foot joints
MaartenEerdekensabcKevinDeschampsadeFilipStaesa
Gait & Posture; Volume 68, February 2019, Pages 375-381

Highlights
•Increased walking speeds demand higher power output in different foot segments.
•Combined, the foot segments must produce net positive work to walk.
•Regardless of walking speed, the tarsometatarsal joints only generate power.
•The relative segmental power absorption differs between normal and high pace walking.
Click to expand...

Background
The foot and ankle complex consists of multiple joints which have been hypothesized to fulfill a significant role in the lower limb kinetic chain during human locomotion. Walking speed is known to affect the lower limb kinetic chain function. Yet, this effect still has to be investigated throughout multiple joints of the foot and ankle complex.

Research question
What is the effect of walking speed on the kinetic behaviour of multiple joints of the foot and ankle complex?

Methods
This observational cross-sectional study investigated 15 asymptomatic male subjects. A three-and four-segment kinetic foot model was used to calculate power output and mechanical work during normal and high walking speed. One-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (1D-SPM) linear regression was performed to examine the relationship between walking speed and kinetic data. Effect size calculations (Cohen’s D) were included to quantify the amount of effect that walking speed has on power output and mechanical work in multiple foot joints.

Results
Three-segment kinetic measurements showed a significant positive correlation between walking speed and power output in the ankle (p = 0.003) and first metatarsophalangeal joint (p = 0.0007). Peak power generation increased in the ankle (d = 1.59), chopart (d = 1.51) and first metatarsophalangeal (d = 1.25) joints during high-speed walking. The three joints combined produced net +0.097 J/kg in normal and +0.201 J/kg in high-speed walking. Four-segment kinetic measurements showed a significant positive correlation between walking speed and power output at the ankle (p = 0.036), chopart (p = 0.0001), lisfranc (p < 0.0001) and first metatarsophalangeal (p = 0.0063) joints. Peak power generation increased in the ankle (d = 1.32), chopart (d = 1.27), lisfranc (d = 1.22) and first metatarsophalangeal (d = 1.47) joints during high-speed walking. Four joints combined produced net +0.162 J/kg in normal and +0.261 J/kg in high-speed walking.

Significance
These results add additional insight into foot function during increased walking speed.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Craig Payne Moderator

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Effects of toe length, foot arch length and toe joint axis on walking biomechanics

The effect of persistent toe walking on the skeletal development of the pediatric foot

The effects of clothes on independent walking in toddlers

Effects of soft orthotics on sEMG activity of superficial leg muscles during walking with supinated

The effect of a midfoot cut in the outer sole of a shoe on intrinsic foot kinematics during walking

Changes in windlass effect in response to different shoe and insole designs during walking

Effect of compression bandaging on walking

Share This Page