scholarly journals IMU-Based Effects Assessment of the Use of Foot Orthoses in the Stance Phase during Running and Asymmetry between Extremities

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3277
Author(s):  
Juan Luis Florenciano Restoy ◽  
Jordi Solé-Casals ◽  
Xantal Borràs-Boix

The objectives of this study were to determine the amplitude of movement differences and asymmetries between feet during the stance phase and to evaluate the effects of foot orthoses (FOs) on foot kinematics in the stance phase during running. In total, 40 males were recruited (age: 43.0 ± 13.8 years, weight: 72.0 ± 5.5 kg, height: 175.5 ± 7.0 cm). Participants ran on a running treadmill at 2.5 m/s using their own footwear, with and without the FOs. Two inertial sensors fixed on the instep of each of the participant’s footwear were used. Amplitude of movement along each axis, contact time and number of steps were considered in the analysis. The results indicate that the movement in the sagittal plane is symmetric, but that it is not in the frontal and transverse planes. The right foot displayed more degrees of movement amplitude than the left foot although these differences are only significant in the abduction case. When FOs are used, a decrease in amplitude of movement in the three axes is observed, except for the dorsi-plantar flexion in the left foot and both feet combined. The contact time and the total step time show a significant increase when FOs are used, but the number of steps is not altered, suggesting that FOs do not interfere in running technique. The reduction in the amplitude of movement would indicate that FOs could be used as a preventive tool. The FOs do not influence the asymmetry of the amplitude of movement observed between feet, and this risk factor is maintained. IMU devices are useful tools to detect risk factors related to running injuries. With its use, even more personalized FOs could be manufactured.

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sinclair ◽  
J. Isherwood ◽  
P.J. Taylor

Chronic injuries are a common complaint in recreational runners. Foot orthoses have been shown to be effective for the treatment of running injuries but their mechanical effects are still not well understood. This study aims to examine the influence of orthotic intervention on multisegment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain during running. Fifteen male participants ran at 4.0 m·s−1 with and without orthotics. Multisegment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain were obtained during the stance phase and contrasted using paired t tests. Relative coronal plane range of motion of the midfoot relative to the rearfoot was significantly reduced with orthotics (1.0°) compared to without (2.2°). Similarly, relative transverse plane range of motion was significantly lower with orthotics (1.1°) compared to without (1.8°). Plantar fascia strain did not differ significantly between orthotic (7.1) and nonorthotic (7.1) conditions. This study shows that although orthotics did not serve to reduce plantar fascia strain, they are able to mediate reductions in coronal and transverse plane rotations of the midfoot.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 3422
Author(s):  
Jian-Zhi Lin ◽  
Wen-Yu Chiu ◽  
Wei-Hsun Tai ◽  
Yu-Xiang Hong ◽  
Chung-Yu Chen

This study analysed the landing performance and muscle activity of athletes in forefoot strike (FFS) and rearfoot strike (RFS) patterns. Ten male college participants were asked to perform two foot strikes patterns, each at a running speed of 6 km/h. Three inertial sensors and five EMG sensors as well as one 24 G accelerometer were synchronised to acquire joint kinematics parameters as well as muscle activation, respectively. In both the FFS and RFS patterns, according to the intraclass correlation coefficient, excellent reliability was found for landing performance and muscle activation. Paired t tests indicated significantly higher ankle plantar flexion in the FFS pattern. Moreover, biceps femoris (BF) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) activation increased in the pre-stance phase of the FFS compared with that of RFS. The FFS pattern had significantly decreased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activity compared with the RFS pattern during the pre-stance phase. The results demonstrated that the ankle strategy focused on controlling the foot strike pattern. The influence of the FFS pattern on muscle activity likely indicates that an athlete can increase both BF and GM muscles activity. Altered landing strategy in cases of FFS pattern may contribute both to the running efficiency and muscle activation of the lower extremity. Therefore, neuromuscular training and education are required to enable activation in dynamic running tasks.


Author(s):  
Ying Yue Zhang ◽  
Gusztáv Fekete ◽  
Justin Fernandez ◽  
Yao Dong Gu

To determine the influence of the unstable sole structure on foot kinematics and provide theoretical basis for further application.12 healthy female subjects walked through a 10-meter experimental channel with normal speed wearing experimental shoes and control shoes respectively at the gait laboratory. Differences between the groups in triplanar motion of the forefoot, rearfoot and hallux during walking were evaluated using a three-dimensional motion analysis system incorporating with Oxford Foot Model (OFM). Compare to contrast group, participants wearing experimental shoes demonstrated greater peak forefoot dorsiflexion, forefoot supination and longer halluces plantar flexion time in support phase. Additionally, participants with unstable sole structure also demonstrated smaller peak forefoot plantarflexion, rearfoot dorsiflexion and range of joint motion in sagittal plane and frontal plane.. The difference mainly appeared in sagittal and frontal plane. With a stimulation of unstable, it may lead to the reinforcement of different flexion between middle and two ends of the foot model. The greater forefoot supination is infered that the unstable element structure may affect the forefoot motion on the frontal plane and has a control effect to strephexopodia people. The stimulation also will reflexes reduce the range of rearfoot motion in sagittal and frontal planes to control the gravity center of the body and keep a steady state in the process of walking.


2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Pascual Huerta ◽  
Juan Manuel Ropa Moreno ◽  
Kevin A. Kirby ◽  
Francisco Javier García Carmona ◽  
Angel Manuel Orejana García

Background: The scientific evidence behind the mechanical function of foot orthoses is still controversial. Research studies that have investigated the kinematic effect of foot orthoses on the lower extremity have shown variable results, with orthoses causing either no significant change or a small significant change in foot kinematics. Methods: The right limbs of 12 healthy asymptomatic individuals were studied in three walking conditions: barefoot, with a 7° rearfoot varus wedge, and with a 7° rearfoot valgus wedge. Kinematic and kinetic variables measured were the foot progression angle, the peak internal tibial rotation angle, and net ankle inversion moments during the stance phase in the three conditions. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the foot progression angle between the barefoot and varus wedge conditions and between the varus and valgus wedge conditions. There were no significant changes in peak internal tibial rotation among the three conditions tested. However, rearfoot varus wedges significantly reduced net ankle inversion moments compared with barefoot and rearfoot valgus wedges. Conclusions: These results support the idea that foot orthoses work by methods other than by changing kinematic parameters. The present study supports the concept that foot orthoses work primarily by altering kinetics, with their effects on kinematics being secondary. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(5): 415–421, 2009)


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daan J. J. Bregman ◽  
Vincent De Groot ◽  
Peter Van Diggele ◽  
Hubert Meulman ◽  
Han Houdijk ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to assess the functional effects and mechanical contribution of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) prescribed to overcome drop-foot gait. We hypothesized that poor functional effects of the AFO relate to insufficient mechanical contribution of the AFO during the swing phase, or unwanted constraining of the ankle during the stance phase. In seven patients with Stroke or Multiple Sclerosis, we determined changes in energy cost of walking resulting from wearing an AFO, as a measure of the functional effects. In addition, an instrumented gait analysis was performed, and the mechanical AFO properties were measured, to calculate the mechanical contribution of the AFO. The AFO was sufficiently stiff to effectively support the foot in swing, without hampering the ankle during stance. For the whole group, there was a significant improvement in walking speed and energy cost (12%). However, the AFO had no functional benefit in terms of a reduced energy cost of walking for three patients, who coherently demonstrated no pathological plantar flexion during swing without their AFO. We conclude that functional benefit from the AFO was only found when the mechanical AFO characteristics met the need to support the patients‘ mechanical deficiencies.


2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Tulchin ◽  
Michael Orendurff ◽  
Stephen Adolfsen ◽  
Lori Karol

Multisegment foot models provide researchers more-detailed information regarding foot mechanics compared with single rigid body foot models. Previous work has shown that walking speed significantly affects sagittal plane ankle motion. It is important to distinguish changes in intersegment foot mechanics following treatment that are due to clinical intervention versus those due to walking speed alone. Foot and ankle kinematics were collected on 24 adults walking at 5 speeds. Significant differences were seen at the ankle using a single rigid body foot model, as well as at the hindfoot and forefoot using a multisegment foot model, with all motions exhibiting a shift toward plantar flexion and decreased stance time with increasing speed. When evaluating foot mechanics using a multisegment foot model across groups or conducting intrasubject comparison over time/treatments, it is imperative that walking speed be accounted for or controlled.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Wenjing Quan ◽  
Feng Ren ◽  
Dong Sun ◽  
Gusztáv Fekete ◽  
Yuhuan He

Purpose. Examining and understanding the biomechanics of novice runners and experienced runners can further improve our knowledge within the field of running mechanics and running injuries. The purpose of this study was to classify the differences in lower limb biomechanics during a 3.3 m/s running task among both experienced runners and novice runners. Method. Twenty-four participants (12 experienced runners and 12 novice runners) ran at 3.3 m/s across a force plate; kinematics and kinetics data were collected by the Vicon motion system and Kistler force plate. Group comparisons were made using an independent samples t -test to identify differences in the impact peak, loading rate, contact time, ankle, knee, and hip joint kinematics and kinetics during the stance phase. Results. No significant differences were observed between novice and experienced runners for both ankle and knee joint kinetics except that the ankle joint plantar flexion torque was significantly greater in the novice runners. However, the plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, range of motion (ROM), plantar flexion torque, and max angular velocity of ankle joint significantly increased in novice runners than inexperienced runners. Additionally, the flexion angle and range of motion of the hip joint were observed to be larger in the novice runners. Moreover, the maximum extension torque and the maximum extension power in the hip joint were significantly increased in the experienced runners. There were no significant differences in the first peak, contact time, and average vertical loading rate. Novice runners showed a larger vertical instantaneous loading rate than experienced runners. Conclusion. These preliminary findings indicate that novice runners are prone to running injuries in comparison to experienced runners. Novice runners showed larger kinematics and kinetic parameters in the joint of the ankle and hip. Novice runners should enhance muscle strength in the hip and choose scientific training methods.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
André G. P. Andrade ◽  
Janaine C. Polese ◽  
Leopoldo A. Paolucci ◽  
Hans-Joachim K. Menzel ◽  
Luci F. Teixeira-Salmela

Lower extremity kinetic data during walking of 12 people with chronic poststroke were reanalyzed, using functional analysis of variance (FANOVA). To perform the FANOVA, the whole curve is represented by a mathematical function, which spans the whole gait cycle and avoids the need to identify isolated points, as required for traditional parametric analyses of variance (ANOVA). The power variables at the ankle, knee, and hip joints, in the sagittal plane, were compared between two conditions: With and without walking sticks at comfortable and fast speeds. For the ankle joint, FANOVA demonstrated increases in plantar flexion power generation during 60–80% of the gait cycle between fast and comfortable speeds with the use of walking sticks. For the knee joint, the use of walking sticks resulted in increases in the knee extension power generation during 10–30% of the gait cycle. During both speeds, the use of walking sticks resulted in increased power generation by the hip extensors and flexors during 10–30% and 40–70% of the gait cycle, respectively. These findings demonstrated the benefits of applying the FANOVA approach to improve the knowledge regarding the effects of walking sticks on gait biomechanics and encourage its use within other clinical contexts.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 194-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Lundberg ◽  
Ian Goldie ◽  
Bo Kalin ◽  
Göran Selvik

In an in vivo investigation of eight healthy volunteers, three dimensional ankle/foot kinematics were analyzed by roentgen stereophotogrammetry in 10° steps of motion from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion of the foot. The study included all of the joints between the tibia and the first metatarsal, as well as the talocalcaneal joint, and was performed under full body load. Although the talocrural joint was found to account for most of the rotation around the transverse axis occurring from 30° of plantar flexion to 30° of dorsiflexion, there was a substantial contribution from the joints of the arch. This was seen particularly in the input arc from 30° of plantar flexion to the neutral position, where the dorsiflexion motion of these joints amounted to 10% to 41% of the total transverse axis rotation.


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