Foot orientation and lower limb kinematics during running.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the possible mechanisms explaining the interindividual differences in foot orientations observed during running. Foot orientations, foot pressures, and ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion were simultaneously recorded on 12 male subjects running barefooted at 3.9 +/- 0.6 m.sec-1. The abduction of the forefoot was significantly related to the ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion velocities (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Because it was not possible, from pressure measurements, to determine differences in foot lever arm of runners, it is suggested that the interindividual variability of foot kinematics could not be explained by Bojsen-Møller's model, but could reflect differences in the lower limb stiffness control.