Mako Fukano

Three-dimensional kinematics of the talocrural and subtalar joints during drop landing.

The bones and soft tissues of the foot act as a shock attenuator and the relative bony motions of the talocrural and subtalar joints are the subject of research interest for their roles in lower extremity pathology. Despite this interest, little information exists on the precise in vivo talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics during dynamic activities. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantify the three-dimensional kinematics of the talocrural and subtalar joints during landing by using single-plane fluoroscopic imaging and shape matching techniques. Three-dimensional bone positions for 6 subjects during landing from a 10 cm height were determined by using 3D-2D model-image registration techniques. The primary talocrural joint motion after toe contact was dorsiflexion with rotation ranges averaging 12° ± 7° dorsiflexion, 2° ± 2° eversion, and 3° ± 2° internal rotation. The subtalar joint exhibited similar patterns of increased dorsiflexion, eversion, and external rotation up to 150 ms after landing. The angular changes were 5° ± 3° dorsiflexion, 7° ± 3° eversion, and 6° ± 2° external rotation. This study contributes to the quantitative understanding of the function of the normal talocrural and subtalar joints and can be used for comparison with data obtained from injured feet.

Change in tibial rotation of barefoot versus shod running

Tibial rotation during foot pronation has been proposed as a key factor in running related injuries. Precise analysis of knee motion during running, including the analysis of motion in the coronal plane, is difficult, and the effect of the wearing shoes on tibial rotation during running is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of wearing shoes in reducing tibial rotation during running. Fifteen healthy subjects (nine males, six females) participated in this study; 25 markers were secured on the left lower extremity of each subject. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected using the MAC3D System (Motion Analysis Co.). The data were processed using the point cluster technique (Andriacchi et al. 1998, J Biomech Eng 120, 743). The subjects were required to run (a) barefoot and (b) while wearing athletic running shoes (Adidas Response Cushion). Tibial motion with respect to the femur was assessed in the stance phase. The internal/external rotation, adduction/abduction and flexion of knee joint were analyzed for a period of 100 ms after foot strike. In both the conditions, all subjects experienced internal tibial rotation after foot strike. During the 100-ms period after foot strike, the shoes reduced the amount of tibial rotation during running (barefoot 16.0 ± 4.1°, shod 13.7 ± 5.3°). The angular change of the knee flexion was increased with running shoe (barefoot 20.8 ± 4.9°, shod 26.5 ± 4.2°). These findings suggest that tibial rotation can be reduced by wearing athletic running shoes.

Structural deformation of longitudinal arches during running in soccer players with medial tibial stress syndrome

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare angular change and translational motion from the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) and lateral longitudinal arch (LLA) during running between medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) and non-MTSS subjects. A total of 10 subjects volunteered, comprising 5 subjects with MTSS and 5 subjects without injury (non-MTSS) as the control group. All subjects performed the test movement that simulated running. Fluoroscopic imaging was used to investigate bone movement during landing in running. Sagittal motion was defined as the angular change and translational motion of the arch. A Mann-Whitney U-test was performed to determine the differences in the measured values between the MTSS and non-MTSS groups. The magnitude of angular change for the MLA and LLA was significantly greater for subjects with MTSS than for control subjects. Translational motion of the MLA and LLA of the MTSS group was also significantly greater than that of the non-MTSS group (all p < 0.05). Soccer players with MTSS have an abnormal structural deformation of foot during support (or stance) phase of running, with a large decrease in both the MLA and LLA. This abnormal motion could be a risk factor for the development of MTSS in these subjects.

Changes in talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics of barefoot versus shod forefoot landing

BackgroundSynergetic talocrural and subtalar joint movements allow adaptation to different footwear and/or surface conditions. Therefore, knowledge of kinematic differences between barefoot and shod conditions is valuable for the study of adaptations to footwear conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the kinematic differences in the talocrural and subtalar joints during barefoot and shod landing.MethodsSeven healthy participants (4 males and 3 females) participated in a landing trial under barefoot and shod conditions. Fluoroscopic images and forceplate data were collected simultaneously to calculate the talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics and the vertical ground reaction force.ResultsUpon toe contact, the plantarflexion angle of the talocrural joint during the barefoot condition was significantly larger than that during the shod condition (barefoot, 20.5 ± 7.1°, shod, 17.9 ± 8.3°, p =0.03). From toe contact to heel contact, the angular changes at the talocrural and subtalar joint were not significantly different between the barefoot and shod conditions; however, the changes in the subtalar eversion angles in the barefoot condition, from heel contact to 150 ms after toe contact, were significantly larger than those in the shod condition.ConclusionsThese results suggest that footwear was able to reduce the eversion angle of the subtalar joint after heel contact during landing; the effect of wearing footwear was quite limited. Therefore, induced rearfoot kinematic alterations to prevent or manage injuries by neutral-type footwear are likely to be impractical.

Influence of Lower Limb Clinical Physical Measurements of Female Athletes on Knee Motion During Continuous Jump Testing

Objectives: To assess the relationship between dynamic knee motion in female athletes during landing after jumping and lower limb clinical physical measurements, considered risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. We proposed that (1) knee valgus and flexion angles during landing are correlated with clinical physical measurements; (2) combining these measurements enables prediction of the knee valgus and flexion angles during landing. Methods: Sixty-one female collegiate basketball athletes performed a continuous jump test; the peak knee valgus and flexion angles were measured. The Q-angle, the ranges of motion (ROMs) of hip internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER), as well as ankle dorsiflexion (DF), navicular drop, leg-heel alignment, and balance ability as assessed by the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) were measured. Stepwise linear regression analyses were used to assess whether these factors can predict the peak knee valgus or flexion angle. Results: Increased ROM of hip IR and navicular drop predicted 7.9% of the peak knee valgus angle variance. Increased ROMs of ankle DF and hip IR, navicular drop, and anterior balance predicted 29.0% of the peak knee flexion angle variance. The knee valgus and flexion angles during the continuous jump test were slightly correlated with clinical physical measurements. Conclusions: Proximal and distal joint alignment and balance ability influence knee motion during landing. The relationship between knee motion during landing and these factors is weak; therefore, lower limb movement during landing is almost independent of clinical physical measurements, and knee movement should be evaluated by itself.

Sex differences in three-dimensional talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics during stance phase in healthy young adults

The ankle joint, including the talocrural and subtalar joints, plays an important role in human locomotion. Sex differences in walking patterns among young and old adults have been studied; however, little information exists on sex-based variations in talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics during walking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate sex-based differences in the talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics during walking. We obtained lateral fluoroscopic images from 10 male and 7 female healthy volunteers during stance phase, and determined the three-dimensional bone orientations using 3D-2D model-image registration techniques to compare sex-specific differences. The orientation of the tibia, talus, and calcaneus were comparable in the static reference position. Sex-based differences in the range of motion were observed in talocrural dorsi/plantar flexion, subtalar eversion/inversion and subtalar external/internal rotation while walking. The ranges of motion in talocrural dorsi/plantar flexion (male, 13 ± 4°; female, 17 ± 3°), subtalar eversion/inversion (male, 8 ± 3°; female, 11 ± 3°) and subtalar external/internal rotation (male, 5 ± 2°; female, 7 ± 2°) were significantly larger in females than in males. Differences in rearfoot kinematics between males and females may reflect anatomic, physiologic and locomotor differences. Greater bone rotations in the female hindfoot may predispose women to different pathologies, or merit different treatments, than men based upon subtalar and talocrural kinematics during gait.

Foot posture alteration and recovery following a full marathon run

Abstract Prolonged running results in lowering of the foot arch and a low arch is associated with subsequent chronic injuries. Foot posture alteration and recovery following a marathon run remain unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate foot posture alteration following a full marathon run. The three-dimensional foot posture data of 11 collegiate runners were obtained using an optical foot scanner system before, and immediately, 1 day, 3 days, and 8 days after a full marathon. The navicular height and arch height ratio significantly decreased from before to immediately, 1 day, 3 days, and 8 days after the marathon (navicular height: before, 44.2 ± 5.0 mm; immediately after, 39.4 ± 5.5 mm; 1 day, 37.7 ± 6.2 mm; 3 days, 38.7 ± 5.5 mm; 8 days, 37.6 ± 5.7 mm; arch height ratio: before, 18.4 ± 1.9; immediately after, 16.5 ± 2.5; 1 day, 15.7 ± 2.5; 3 days, 16.2 ± 2.6; 8 days, 15.6 ± 2.2, P < 0.001, respectively). By contrast, the dorsal height significantly increased from before and immediately after to 1 day after the marathon, and then significantly decreased until 8 days after the marathon (P < 0.001). These results indicate that the recovery patterns of the dorsal and navicular heights following a marathon did not coincide; the dorsal height rose temporally at 1 day after and subsequently decreased, but the navicular height decreased throughout the 8-day period after the marathon. More than one week may be necessary for sufficient foot alignment recovery from marathon-induced changes.

Kinematics of the Foot and Ankle

This chapter is designed to provide a better understanding of foot and ankle kinematics. In the first half of this Chapter I describe foot arch kinematics and related gender differences, and in the last half I provide a new approach for evaluating talocrural and subtalar joint kinematics.

Sports Injury Surveillance in Japan (from Sports Safety Association)

The chapters of this book focus on the development of a better understanding of the mechanisms and risk factors involved in sports-related injuries. Implicit in this understanding is the attempt, also covered in this book, to create intervention programs which minimize or prevent sports related injuries In this initial chapter we provide a foundation for the ensuing chapters by assessing the current incidence and general features of sports-related injuries in Japan. We herein supply the latest statistics on the incidence of sports-related injuries in Japan on the basis of surveillance conducted by the Sports Safety Association in the fiscal years from 2000 to 2011. We hope our organization of the statistical material, and our structured arrangement by anatomical site, type and severity of disorder, type of sport, and gender will allow readers to easily access needed information as well as better understand the contents in the later chapters of this book.

Biomechanical Analysis of the Effects of Footwear

In this chapter I utilize a biomechanical approach in order to better understand the effects of footwear. In the first half of the chapter I describe the changes in lower extremity kinematics that occur during walking and running. In the second half I provide a new approach for the examination of foot and ankle kinematics and focus on the effects of footwear.