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Foot strike alters ground reaction force and knee load when stepping down during ongoing walking
Sarah C Moudy1, Neale A Tillin1, Amy R Sibley1
1Department of Life Sciences, University of Roehampton, London, United Kingdom.
Gait & Posture
|January 4, 2020
Summary
Stepping down using a toe-first strategy reduces limb and knee loading rates by engaging the ankle as a shock absorber. A heel-first strategy can decrease late-braking load by using the trailing limb.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Human movement analysis
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Step descent involves either a toe or heel initial contact strategy.
- Vertical momentum increases during step descent, impacting ground and knee loading.
- The influence of descent strategies on joint loading is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if descent strategy affects ground and knee joint loading.
- To determine if leading and trailing limb mechanics differ between toe and heel descent strategies.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-two healthy males performed a 14 cm step descent using either a toe or heel initial contact.
- Vertical ground reaction forces and knee moments were measured during the braking phase.
- Ankle, knee, and hip joint work were calculated for both leading and trailing limbs.
Main Results:
- Toe-contact reduced early braking loading rates but increased late braking load magnitude.
- Toe landings involved 33% more lead limb work, with the ankle acting as the primary shock absorber.
- Heel landings showed reduced trailing limb work for center of mass lowering and propulsion.
Conclusions:
- Toe-contact strategies decrease limb and knee loading rates by maximizing lead limb ankle joint utilization.
- Heel-contact strategies can mitigate late braking loads through trailing limb contributions.
