The influence of shaft stiffness on joint kinematics and kinetics during hiking

How boots affect the kinematics and kinetics of lower limb joints during walking compared to casual footwear

Boots are widely used by many people for various purposes, but their impact on gait biomechanics and injury risk is not well understood. This study investigated the effects of boots on walking biomechanics, compared to casual footwear. The lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics of 20 healthy male participants aged 20 to 30 years old were compared during self-paced walking with boots and shoes. The results showed that walking with boots is associated with greater hip extensor (P = 0.009) and ankle dorsiflexor (P < 0.001) moments in early stance, hip power generation (P < 0.001) and knee power absorption (P < 0.001) in early swing phase, hip abductor (P < 0.001) and knee adduction (P < 0.001) moments in the entire stance, net concentric work for the hip joint in sagittal (13.9%, P = 0.001) and frontal (21.7%, P = 0.002) planes. In contrast, the subtalar supinator moment in the entire stance (P < 0.001), ankle angular velocity in late stance (P < 0.001), and net concentric (- 42.7%, P < 0.001) and eccentric (- 44.6%, P = 0.004) works of subtalar joint were significantly lower in the boot condition. The compensatory adjustments in the hip and knee joints may result from ankle restrictions. While boots may aid those with ankle disorders, lower limb loading and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and osteoarthritis could be increased. This study offers new perspectives on the biomechanical impact of boots on gait, potential prevention and treatment strategies of related injuries, and advancing footwear design.

The Effects of a Custom-Designed High-Collar Shoe on Muscular Activity, Dynamic Stability, and Leg Stiffness: A Biomimetic Approach Study

High-collar shoes are a biomimetic approach to preventing lateral ankle injuries during high-demand activities; however, the influence of collar stiffness (CS) on parameters related to lateral ankle sprain prevention during running remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of a custom-designed shoe CS on muscular activity, dynamic stability, and leg stiffness (K_leg) during running using a biomimetic design approach inspired by the mechanisms of ankle sprain prevention. Sixteen healthy male participants ran on a treadmill while wearing a custom-designed high-collar shoe with low, medium, and high CS conditions, measured using circumferential ankle pressure (CAP). Lower extremity kinematics and electromyography (EMG) data were recorded simultaneously. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the CS conditions. Results indicate that high and medium CS conditions significantly reduce sagittal and frontal ankle ranges of motion (ROMs) compared to the low CS condition, providing improved stability and support against lateral ankle sprain; moreover, there was a trend towards higher dynamic stability and K_leg with increasing CS. Our study highlights the importance of considering the CAP in regulating high-collar stiffness properties and how higher CS may provide better support for the ankle during running. Nevertheless, additional research is necessary to validate the efficacy of the current design in preventing ankle sprains during high-demand activities.

Influence of circumferential ankle pressure of shoe collar on the kinematics, dynamic stability, electromyography, and plantar pressure during normal walking

BACKGROUND

The shoe's collar plays a significant role in supporting the ankle during walking. Since the protective effect of the collar requires the circular embracing of the ankle and shank, a stiffer collar might be involved with increased circumferential ankle pressure (CAP). It is not clear how collar CAP affects walking performance. Therefore, this study was aimed at examining the influence of the collar CAP on the kinematics, dynamic stability, electromyography (EMG), and plantar pressure during normal walking.

METHOD

Sixteen healthy male participants walked on a treadmill while wearing a custom-designed high-collar shoe with 10 (low), 30 (medium), and 60 mmHg (high) CAP conditions, and the joint angles, dynamic stability index, EMG, and plantar pressure were measured.

RESULT

While the low CAP condition did not affect the ankle range of motion (ROM), The high CAP condition restricted both the ankle sagittal and frontal ROM, whereas the medium CAP condition limited only the ankle frontal ROM. The knee and hip ROM did not differ between conditions. The dynamic stability for the high and medium CAP cases was comparable but significantly higher than that of the low CAP condition. The ankle muscle activity and corresponding co-contraction increased with increasing CAP for gastrocnemius medialis (GM), soleus (SOL), peroneus longus (PL), tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in the weight acceptance and push-off phases but not in the single limb support. Knee muscle activity, including vastus lateralis (VL) and semitendinosus (SEMI) was similar between all conditions. A higher relative pressure was observed under the lateral aspect of the heel when walking in the high CAP condition.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a high-collar shoe with a high CAP may not be an appropriate choice for walking owing to the injury risk factors and limited walking efficiency. A medium CAP is associated with certain advantages and, thus, a superior choice for high-collar shoe design.

Backward vs. Forward Gait Symmetry Analysis Based on Plantar Pressure Mapping

Symmetry is one of the factors analysed in normal and pathological gaits. Backward gait is an area of interest to scientists, in terms of its physiology and therapeutic possibilities. This study aimed to analyse the symmetry of the pressure parameters of backward gait in comparison to forward gait using different symmetry indices. Eighty-one healthy people aged between 19 and 84 years took part in the study. Foot pressure distribution was analysed during forward and backward gaits at self-selected speeds. Mean and maximum pressure values were calculated after dividing the foot into four or ten areas. Delta, Ratio Index, Robinson Index, Gait Asymmetry, and Symmetry Angle were calculated for each area, separately for both forward and backward gaits. Higher ratios of asymmetry were found during backward than during forward gait. Larger ratios of asymmetry were found within toes II–V, forefoot, metatarsals I, II, and III, medial and lateral heel areas. No significant correlation between symmetry indices and age or BMI was found. Results suggested that the lower symmetry of backward gait is caused by a higher number of corrective movements that allow for the maintenance of body balance and global symmetry of gait. This can be realised by increased cortical control of the backward gait, which was a new movement task for all participants.