Rearfoot, Midfoot, and Forefoot Motion in Naturally Forefoot and Rearfoot Strike Runners during Treadmill Running

Alessandra B Matias,Isabel C N Sacco,Ulisses T Taddei,Paolo Caravaggi,Alberto Leardini

doi:10.3390/app10217811

Alessandra B Matias, Isabel C N Sacco + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217811

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Abstract

Different location and incidence of lower extremity injuries have been reported in rearfoot strike (RFS) and forefoot strike (FFS) recreational runners. These might be related to functional differences between the two footstrike patterns affecting foot kinematics and thus the incidence of running injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the kinematic patterns of foot joints between naturally RFS and FFS runners. A validated multi-segment foot model was used to measure 24 foot kinematic variables in long-distance recreational runners while running on a treadmill. These variables included the three-dimensional relative motion between rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot segments. The footstrike pattern was identified using kinematic data and slow-motion videos. Functional analysis of variance was used to compare the time series of these variables between RFS (n = 49) and FFS (n = 25) runners. In FFS runners, the metatarsal bones were less tilted with respect to the ground, and the metatarsus was less adducted with respect to the calcaneus during stance. In early stance, the calcaneus was more dorsiflexed with respect to the shank and returned to a more plantarflexed position at push-off. FFS runners showed a more adducted calcaneus with respect to the shank and a less inverted midfoot to the calcaneus. The present study has showed that the footstrike angle characterizes foot kinematics in running. These data may help shed more light on the relationship between foot function and running-related injuries.

Highlights

The footstrike pattern of runners has received much attention in the past decade, the differences between rearfoot strike (RFS) and midfoot or forefoot strike (FFS)
FFS has been found to be associated with the attenuation of the lower limbs loads, which helps to reduce the incidence of running-related injuries [4,5]
We focus on improving our understanding on the effects of the striking pattern on foot kinematics by using a validated multi-segment foot model applied on a large population of naturally RFS and FFS runners

Summary

Introduction

The footstrike pattern of runners has received much attention in the past decade, the differences between rearfoot strike (RFS) and midfoot or forefoot strike (FFS). This increasing interest in footstrike patterns can be justified by the possible associations with running-related injuries [1,2,3,4]. FFS has been found to be associated with the attenuation of the lower limbs loads, which helps to reduce the incidence of running-related injuries [4,5]. Lower limb kinematics showed that FFS presents the foot angle at initial contact in a plantar flexed position and RFS in dorsiflexed position [10].

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