Effects of toe length,foot arch length and toe joint axis on walking biomechanics |
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| Institution: | 1. Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA;2. Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA;3. Dept. of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA;1. Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University, SPH Building 112, 1025 E. Seventh ST, Bloomington, IN, 47405-7109, United States;2. Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts, 110 Totman Building, 30 Eastman Lane, Amherst, MA, 01003-9258, United States;3. Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, KNB 418, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada;4. Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, 249 Forker, 534 Wallace RD, Ames, IA, 50011-3191, United States;1. Research & Development Section, Department of Rehabilitation, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA;2. DoD-VA Extremity Trauma and Amputation Center of Excellence, Bethesda, MD, USA;3. Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA;4. Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA;5. Division of Rehabilitation Science, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA;6. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA |
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| Abstract: | Toe joint articulation has been shown to affect gait mechanics, as evidenced by walking simulations, biped robots, and foot prostheses. However, it is not known how parameters such as toe length, foot arch length (i.e., heel-to-toe-joint length) or toe joint axis angle affect human walking. We utilized a previously developed adjustable ankle-toe prosthesis to systematically examine these three foot parameters. We tested ten able-bodied persons walking on a force instrumented-treadmill while wearing a pair of adjustable prostheses attached bilaterally below simulator boots (which fixated their biological ankles). We collected motion and ground reaction force data to compute lower-limb kinematics and kinetics as well as COM power and work. We observed that increasing the foot arch length by 60 mm (35%) increased COM Push-off work by ~5 J, due to increased energy storage and return by the ankle spring. Increasing the toe length by 40 mm (80%) and changing the toe joint axis by ±9° from a neutral angle resulted in negligible effects on COM mechanics and lower limb kinetics. This study provides further insights regarding toe joint function; knowledge which may benefit the design/integration of toe joints into prostheses, exoskeletons and legged robots. |
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