title: Inter-segment foot kinematics during cross-slope running.
abstract: Cross-slopes are a common terrain characteristic, however there is no biomechanical knowledge of the intra-foot adaptations required for running on these surface inclinations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the kinematic changes induced within the foot while running on a transversely inclined surface. A three-segment foot model distinguishing between the hindfoot, forefoot, and hallux was used for this purpose. Nine healthy experienced male runners volunteered to perform level (0°) and cross-slope (10°) running trials barefoot at a moderate speed. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) for repeated measures was used to analyze the kinematics of the hindfoot with respect to tibia (HF/TB), forefoot with respect to hindfoot (FF/HF), and hallux with respect to forefoot (HX/FF) during level running (LR), incline running up-slope (IRU), and incline running down-slope (IRD) conditions. In the sagittal plane, the FF/HF angle showed greater dorsiflexion at peak vertical force production (MaxFz) in IRD compared to LR (p=0.042). The HX/FF was significantly more extended during IRU than LR at foot strike (p=0.027). More importantly, frontal plane asymmetries were also found. HF/TB angles revealed greater inversion at foot strike followed by greater eversion at MaxFz for IRU compared to IRD (p=0.042 and p=0.018, respectively). For the FF/HF angle, maximum eversion was greater during IRD than LR (p=0.035). Data suggests that running on cross-slopes can induce substantial intra-foot kinematic adaptations, whether this represents a risk of injury to both recreational and professional runners remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. philippe.dixon@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Philippe C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tisseyre
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damavandi
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pearsall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005545:Forefoot, Human / Q000502:physiology; D006214:Hallux / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult