Foot Morphological Difference between Habitually Shod and Unshod Runners.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Anthropometry
• Podiatry

Background:

• Foot morphology and function are increasingly studied by biomechanics researchers and footwear manufacturers.
• Understanding ethnic variations in foot structure is crucial for optimizing footwear design and athletic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare foot morphological differences between habitually unshod Indian runners and shod Chinese runners.
• To provide data that can inform footwear design and reduce injury risks.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a three-dimensional foot scanning system (easy-foot-scan) to collect 3D foot surface data and 2D footprint images from 168 unshod Indian runners and 196 shod Chinese runners.
• Calculated key foot parameters: foot length, foot width, hallux angle, and minimal distance from the hallux to the second toe.

Main Results:

• Significant differences were observed between the shod Chinese and unshod Indian groups in foot length (females, p = 0.001), foot width (females, p = 0.001), hallux angle (males and females, p = 0.001), and minimal hallux-to-second-toe distance (males and females, p = 0.001).

Conclusions:

• Significant ethnic variations in foot morphology exist, impacting locomotion biomechanics.
• These morphological differences should be considered in footwear design, particularly last shape, to minimize injury risks and enhance performance in diverse populations.