T12 and S2 Vertebrae Oscillation During the Stance Phase of Gait in Asymptomatic Young Adults Fitted With Accommodative Foot Orthoses

Abstract

In Brief The authors investigated the effect on the oscillation of the twelfth thoracic and the second sacral vertebrae of healthy individuals during level walking when accommodative foot orthoses are used. Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed on eight healthy young male adults, fitted bilaterally with separated-arms foot orthoses while performing gait trials. Six spherical retroreflective skin-mounted markers were placed at specific anatomical points. Each participant performed six consecutive gait cycles at self-selected speed under three experimental conditions: barefoot, shod, and shod with insoles. Kinematic variables were then calculated, and repeated measures one-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests were performed to characterize the differences observed among the test conditions. Statistically significant differences were found for the range of motion, the range of velocity, the maximum position and the maximum velocity instants of the thoracic vertebra, and for the range of motion and the maximum velocity instant of the sacrum. From these differences, the maximum position and the maximum velocity instants of the thoracic vertebra and the maximum velocity instant of the sacrum are attributed to the use of the orthoses. In addition, the increment of the damping ratio of both vertebrae, associated with the dissipation effect of the orthoses, was clear. These results indicate that there are some immediate effects of the tested foot orthoses on the oscillation pattern of the lower spine of the examined group. These insoles might contribute to motion-related low back pain prevention or relief; however, the actual mechanism remains unclear, so additional investigation is needed. The authors investigate the effect on the oscillation of the twelfth thoracic and the second sacral vertebrae of healthy individuals during level walking when accommodative foot orthoses are used. The study shows that there are some systematic changes in the lower spine oscillation pattern when the group of the analyzed individuals was fitted with separated-arms foot orthoses. These results indicate that there are some immediate effects of the tested foot orthoses on the oscillation pattern of the lower spine of the examined group. These insoles might contribute to motion-related low back pain prevention or relief; however, the actual mechanism remains unclear, so additional investigation is needed.