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

NewsBot · Sep 13, 2017

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The Influence of Foot-Strike Technique on the Neuromechanical Function of the Foot.
Kelly, Luke A.; Farris, Dominic J.; Lichtwark, Glen A.; Cresswell, Andrew G.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise: September 11, 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of foot-strike technique on longitudinal arch mechanics and intrinsic foot muscle function during running.

Methods: 13 healthy participants ran barefoot on a force-instrumented treadmill at 2.8ms-1 with a forefoot (FFS) and rear-foot (RFS, habitual) running technique, while kinetic, kinematic and electromyographic (EMG) data from the intrinsic foot muscles were collected simultaneously. The longitudinal arch was modeled as a single "mid-foot" joint representing motion of the rear-foot (calcaneus) relative to the forefoot (metatarsals). An inverse dynamic analysis was performed to estimate joint moments generated about the mid-foot, as well as mechanical work and power.

Results: The mid-foot was more plantar flexed (higher arch) at foot contact when running with a forefoot running technique (RFS 0.2 +/- 1.8o v FFS 6.9 +/- 3.0o, ES = 2.7), however there was no difference in peak mid-foot dorsiflexion in stance (RFS -11.6 +/- 3.0o v FFS -11.4 +/- 3.4o, ES = 0.63). When running with a forefoot technique, participants generated greater moments about the mid-foot (27% increase, ES = 1.1) and performed more negative work (240% increase, ES = 2.2) and positive work (42% increase, ES = 1.1) about the mid-foot. Average stance phase muscle activation was greater for Flexor Digitorum Brevis (20% increase, ES = 0.56) and Abductor Hallucis (17% increase, ES = 0.63) when running with a forefoot technique.

Conclusion: Forefoot running increases loading about the longitudinal arch and also increases the mechanical work performed by the intrinsic foot muscles. These findings have substantial implications in terms of injury prevention and management for runners who transition from a rear-foot to a forefoot running technique.
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Admin2 · Sep 13, 2017

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NewsBot · Jun 7, 2019

Comparison of lower limb muscle architecture and geometry in distance runners with rearfoot and forefoot strike pattern
Joseph M. Gonzales, Andrew J. Galpin, Melissa M. Montgomery & Derek N. Pamukoff
Journal of Sports Sciences: 06 Jun 2019

We examined the association between footfall pattern and characteristics of lower limb muscle function and compared lower limb muscle function between forefoot and rearfoot runners. Fifteen rearfoot and 16 forefoot runners were evaluated using ultrasonography of the gastrocnemii and tibialis anterior while strike index and heel strike angle quantified footfall pattern. Higher strike index was associated with lower medial gastrocnemius echo intensity (p = 0.05), lower lateral gastrocnemius echo intensity (p = 0.04), smaller tibialis anterior pennation angle (p = 0.05), and longer lateral gastrocnemius fascicle length (p = 0.04). Larger heel strike angle was associated with smaller medial gastrocnemius cross-sectional area (p = 0.04), shorter lateral gastrocnemius fascicle length (p < 0.01), and lower plantar flexion moment (p < 0.01). Larger plantar flexion moment was associated with lesser medial gastrocnemius echo intensity (p = 0.04), lesser lateral gastrocnemius echo intensity (p = 0.03), and greater lateral gastrocnemius fascicle length (p = 0.02). A smaller plantar flexion moment, larger heel strike angle, lower tibialis anterior echo intensity, larger tibialis anterior pennation angle, and smaller lateral gastrocnemius pennation angle were observed in rearfoot compared to forefoot runners (p < 0.05). Lower limb muscle architecture is associated with footfall pattern and ankle mechanics during running.
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