Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 31, 2026
Lower-Limb Biomechanical Characteristics Associated with Unplanned Gait Termination Under Different Walking Speeds
Published on: August 25, 2020
The impact of walking speed on the kinetic behaviour of different foot joints
Maarten Eerdekens1, Kevin Deschamps2, Filip Staes3
1KU Leuven, Dept of Rehabilitation Sciences, Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, Leuven, 3000, Belgium; KU Leuven, Foot and Ankle Research Unit, Lubbeek, 3212, Belgium; UZ Leuven, Clinical Motion Analysis Laboratory, CERM, Lubbeek, 3212, Belgium.
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.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
03:07Kinetic Molecular Theory: Molecular Velocities, Temperature, and Kinetic Energy
01:19Enzyme Kinetics
Scientists typically study enzyme kinetics with a fixed amount of enzyme in the controlled environment of a test tube. When more reactant, or substrate, is...
01:28Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles....
00:23Kinetic Energy
01:16Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
01:03Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...