Neuromechanical adaptations of foot function to changes in surface stiffness during hopping

NewsBot · Feb 22, 2021

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
Neuromechanical adaptations of foot function to changes in surface stiffness during hopping
Jonathon V Birch et al
J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Feb 11

Humans choose work-minimizing movement strategies when interacting with compliant surfaces. Our ankles are credited with stiffening our lower limbs and maintaining the excursion of our body's center of mass on a range of surface stiffnesses. We may also be able to stiffen our feet through an active contribution from our plantar intrinsic muscles (PIMs) on such surfaces. However, traditional modelling of the ankle joint has masked this contribution. We compared foot and ankle mechanics and muscle activation on Low, Medium and High stiffness surfaces during bilateral hopping using a traditional and anatomical ankle model. The traditional ankle model overestimated work and underestimated quasi-stiffness compared to the anatomical model. Hopping on a low stiffness surface resulted in less longitudinal arch compression with respect to the high stiffness surface. However, because midfoot torque was also reduced, midfoot quasi-stiffness remained unchanged. We observed lower activation of the PIMs, soleus and tibialis anterior on the low and medium stiffness conditions, which paralleled the pattern we saw in the work performed by the foot and ankle. Rather than performing unnecessary work, participants altered their landing posture to harness the energy stored by the sprung surface in the low and medium conditions. These findings highlight our preference to minimize mechanical work when transitioning to compliant surfaces and highlight the importance of considering the foot as an active, multi-articular, part of the human leg.
Click to expand...

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Neuromechanical coupling within the human triceps surae and its consequence on individual force shar

The Influence of Foot-Strike Technique on the Neuromechanical Function of the Foot

Running shoe adaptations / bespoke running shoe provision

Kinematic adaptations to a running program

Biomechanical Adaptations During Running Differ Based on Type of Exercise and Fitness Level

Superficial plantar cutaneous sensation does not trigger barefoot running adaptations

Chronic Adaptations To Eccentric Training

Share This Page