title: Evaluation of the relationship between the static measurement of transverse arch flexibility of the forefoot and gait parameters in healthy subjects.
abstract: [Purpose] To investigate the relationship between the static measurement of the transverse arch of the forefoot, using a 3-dimensional (3D) foot scanner, and kinetics and kinematics of gait parameters in the sagittal plane. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study. The transverse arch of the forefoot was measured under three conditions as follows: condition 1, sitting; condition 2, standing; and condition 3, foot forward and lower leg tilting anteriorly to the maximum position with heel contact. Gait parameters were recorded using a 3D motion analysis system and force plate. Correlation coefficients between TAF for each comparison of conditions and gait parameters were calculated using the Spearman correlation analysis. [Results] Rates of the transverse arch of the forefoot width and height between condition 2 and condition 3 were significantly correlated with the anterior and posterior component of ground reaction forces, the hip joint extension angle, and the ankle plantar flexion moment. [Conclusion] Our study's findings indicated that increased stiffness of the transverse arch of the forefoot was related to the increase in ankle plantar moment, and decreased stiffness of the transverse arch of the forefoot was related to the increase in hip joint extension angle during gait.
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan; Sports Management Center, Graduate School, Bunkyo Gakuin University, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muneta
authors.affiliation: Sports Management Center, Graduate School, Bunkyo Gakuin University, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukui
keywords: Level walking; Static measurement; Transverse arch of the forefoot