The relationships between footprints, foot pressure distributions, rearfoot motion and foot function in runners

Abstract

Nine subjects (18 feet) were studied to examine the relationships between simple footprints, foot pressure distributions, rearfoot motion and foot function in runners. Footprinting, walking foot pressure and filmed treadmill running techniques were used. Reduced mobility of the subtalar joint was noted in the running population studied. The results indicated that those subjects with high-arched, cavus-type feet tended to laterally loadbear and generate high pressures on the lateral side of the forefoot. They also tended to have reduced tibiocalcaneal angles during running. Simple footprints were found to be unreliable indicators of abnormal function during running. Foot pressure measurements proved to be useful indicators of foot function during running gait and may be helpful in diagnosing the cause of injury.