Tibial rotation in running: Does rearfoot adduction matter?
To quantify the magnitude of global rearfoot motion, in particular, rearfoot adduction and to investigate its relationship to tibial rotation.



One hundred and four participants ran barefoot on an Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam. Global range of motion values for the shank, rearfoot and medial metatarsal segment as well as foot motion within the transverse plane were determined using an optoelectric motion capture system. Relationships between parameters were assessed using partial correlation analysis.



Global rearfoot adduction amounts to 6.1° (±2.7). Furthermore global rearfoot adduction and rearfoot eversion were significantly related to internal tibial rotation (partial correlation: r=0.37, p<0.001 and r=-0.24, p=0.015, respectively). Furthermore, a strong relationship between rearfoot adduction and transverse within foot motion (r=-0.65, p<0.001) was found.



Next to rearfoot eversion, rearfoot adduction may be also important to the understanding of ankle joint coupling. Controlling rearfoot adduction and transverse within foot motion may be a mechanism to control excessive tibial rotation.
Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: k.fischer@dshs-koeln.de.
Katina Mira
KM
Fischer
Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: s.willwacher@dshs-koeln.de.
Steffen
S
Willwacher
Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, United States; Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachussetts, 23 Totman Building, Amherst, MA, 01003, United States. Electronic address: jhamill@kin.umass.edu.
Joseph
J
Hamill
Institute of Biomechanics and Orthopaedics, German Sport University, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: brueggemann@dshs-koeln.de.
Gert-Peter
GP
Brüggemann
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012016:Reference Values; D012399:Rotation; D012420:Running; D013977:Tibia / Q000502:physiology*
Ankle joint; Calcaneal adduction; Joint coupling; Running injuries; Running mechanics