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Foot placement angle and arch type: effect on rearfoot motion
1Department of Health, Illinois State University, Normal.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Foot placement angle significantly predicts rearfoot motion during running. Less foot abduction correlated with more rearfoot motion, while normal arches showed less motion than high or flat arches.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Running analysis
- Gait analysis
Background:
- Understanding running biomechanics is crucial for injury prevention.
- Foot placement angle and arch type are key variables influencing lower limb kinematics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between foot placement angle, arch type, and rearfoot motion during running.
- To identify predictors of total rearfoot motion and maximum pronation.
Main Methods:
- Twenty female runners were filmed in the frontal plane at 100 fps.
- Arch indices were calculated, and rearfoot angles were digitized during foot contact.
- Non-linear regression analysis was used to model the relationships.
Main Results:
- Foot placement angle was the best single predictor of total rearfoot motion (r2 = .35 with arch type).
- Less foot abduction was associated with greater total rearfoot motion.
- Normal-arched individuals exhibited less total rearfoot motion compared to high-arched and flat-arched individuals.
Conclusions:
- Foot placement angle is a significant factor influencing rearfoot motion during running.
- Arch type also plays a role, with normal arches demonstrating reduced motion.
- These findings have implications for understanding running gait and potential injury mechanisms.