Feet In Length Research Articles

The Impact of Locomotor Speed on the Human Metatarsophalangeal Joint Kinematics.

This paper aims to further our previous study to investigate the effect of speed on the human metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint kinematics during running on level ground. The 3D motion of the foot segments was captured by a twelve-camera motion analysis system, and the ground reaction forces and moments were recorded by using a six-force plate array. The relative movement between the tarsometatarsi (hindfoot) and phalanges (forefoot) segments were recorded to obtain the 3D orientation and position of the functional axis (FA) of the MP joint. The results show that the FA locates about an average of 19% foot length (FL) anterior to the anatomical axis (AA) across all running speeds, and is also 4.8% FL inferior to the AA during normal and fast run. Similar to walking, the functional axis is more oblique than the anatomical axis with a more anterior–inferior orientation across all the running speeds. This suggests that representing MP joint with the AA may mislead the calculation of joint moment/power and muscle moment arms in both running and walking gait. Compared with previous study, we found that walking and running speeds have statistically significant effects on the position of the FA. The functional axis moves frontward to a more anterior position when the speed increases during walking and running. It transfers upward in the superior direction with increasing speed of walking, but moves more toward the inferior position when the velocity increased further to running. Also, the orientation of FA in sagittal plane became more oblique toward the vertical direction as the speed increased. This may help in moderating the muscular effort, increase the muscle EMA and improve the locomotor performance. These results would contribute to understanding the in vivo biomechanical function of the MP joint and also the foot propulsion during human locomotion.

Variable Horizon MPC With Swing Foot Dynamics for Bipedal Walking Control

In this letter, we present a novel two-level variable Horizon Model Predictive Control (VH-MPC) framework for bipedal locomotion. In this framework, the higher level computes the landing location and timing (horizon length) of the swing foot to stabilize the unstable part of the center of mass (CoM) dynamics, using feedback from the CoM states. The lower level takes into account the swing foot dynamics and generates dynamically consistent trajectories for landing at the desired time as close as possible to the desired location. To do that, we use a simplified model of the robot dynamics projected in swing foot space that takes into account joint torque constraints as well as the friction cone constraints of the stance foot. We show the effectiveness of our proposed control framework by implementing robust walking patterns on our torque-controlled and open-source biped robot, Bolt. We report extensive simulations and real robot experiments in the presence of various disturbances and uncertainties.

Biometric Analysis of Cranial and Somatic Features in the Pannonian Root Vole.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this paper is to biometrically analyse the cranial and somatic features of the Pannonian root vole in Slovakia and link body weight to selected cranial features. Somatic features indicate that specimens caught in Slovakia belong to the largest sub-species oeconomus. Overall, our results showed sexual dimorphism of all the somatic features observed in adult specimens, while the effect of seasonality was only seen in the average length of the body and tail. Thus, mean body and foot length appear stable in determining features despite the seasons. This study evaluated 25 skull and lower jaw measurements, representing the largest number of evaluated characteristics among Slovakia’s Pannonian root vole population. Linear regression of the weight and any of the three craniological features AMd, AMdm, and LCr is recommended in order to predict weight directly from them. This analysis is useful as a non-invasive method for analysing skeletal food remains that have been found in raptors and owls. Using the correlation between weight and body length makes it possible to analyse the Pannonian root vole population structure in greater detail, such as to classify specimens into age cohorts.The Pannonian root vole Alexandromys oeconomus ssp. mehelyi represents a rare glacial relict, whose occurrence is nowadays bound to several areas in Europe. Four somatic and 25 craniological features were analysed, based on 355 measured specimens. Sex is a significant factor affecting the average value of all four somatic features, where all of them achieve higher values in males than in females. While body length and tail length were also affected by seasons, body weight and the length of the hind foot were stable features present across the seasons. In cranial features, the largest variability in the adult population is characterised by neurocranium breadth (LaN), total length of the cranial base (LB), and skull (LCr); whereas the smallest variability of the cranial dimensions is reflected in the values of the greatest palatal breadth (PS) and postorbital breadth (Io). Calculating the weight from cranial remains may be used to estimate the size of the prey and to determine vole biomass consumed by predators, such as raptors, highlighting the utility of studying feeding ecology.

Standardizing the standard: reporting health status in clinical trials.

Standardizing the standard: reporting health status in clinical trials.

Association Between Anthropometric Factors and Balance Among Elderly Fallers and Non-Fallers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Falls are an emerging public health problem causing a cascade of medical, functional, and socio-economic consequences. Apart from other widely explored risk factors affecting balance, anthropometric factors are also known to have an impact on balance. However, this relationship hasn’t been studied extensively in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the anthropometric factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat Mass (BFM), Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR), Lower Limb Length (LLL), Foot Length (FL) and balance in the elderly among fallers and non-fallers. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 fallers and 100 non-fallers, aged 60 years and above. These participants were recruited by a stratified random sampling technique from Navi Mumbai region. All the above anthropometric factors were measured and recorded. Each participant’s balance was assessed using the Mini-BESTest scale. Obtained scores were analysed in SPSS software; descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient, and Z scores were applied. Results: A sample size of 100 non-fallers, 50% male and 50% females, participated in this study. Among those participants classified as “fallers,” 56% were males and 44% were females. The mean age of the non-fallers was 66±5.01 and the mean age of the fallers was 67.72±6.73. In fallers, WHR showed good negative correlation (r= -.807), BFM as moderate (r= -.577) and BMI as fair (r= -.426) whereas in non-fallers, BMI showed moderate (r= -.546) and fair negative correlation for both WHR (r= -.303) and BFM (r= -.441). However, LLL and FL in both groups show little or no correlation. The Association of all anthropometric factors with the balance between fallers and non-fallers showed no-significant difference. It may be inter-group variance for age, gender and BMI, as participants were not matched for these variables during the recruiting phase. Additionally, the reason for the fall was not explored, thus adding to the limitations of our study. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the impact of increased WHR, BFM and BMI on balance in the elderly fallers and non-fallers. Thus, it is important to screen these factors while assessing biological risk factors for predicting falls. This study further recommends exploring the normative value for anthropometric factors in a healthy elderly population.

Diagnostic accuracy of neonatal foot length to identify preterm and low birthweight infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionEighty percent of neonatal deaths occur among babies born preterm and/or small for gestational age (SGA). In sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, approximately 40% of births occur outside of health...

Study of foot length measurement as a screening tool to identify low birth weight and preterm neonates

Introduction: Low birth weight is an important indicator of survival, future growth, and overalldevelopment of the child. It is associated with socio-economic, clinical, racial, hereditary, personal,and geographical factors. Method: This prospective observational study was conducted during the19 months in the nursery and postnatal wards at RDGMC, Ujjain. All live birth newborns wereassessed within 24 hours of birth. All Sick babies requiring NICU care, newborns with congenitalmalformation were excluded from the study. For each newborn recruited in the study length of theleft foot was measured from the heel to the tip of the big toe using a hard transparent plastic rulerwhich was pressed vertically against the babies’ sole and the reading was recorded. The data wasanalyzed in Epidata (version 3.1) and then transferred to Stata10.0 (Stata Corp College Station,Texas, U.S.A) for statistical analysis. Results: (1) Foot length measurement was directly correlatedwith gestational age with cut off being 6.3 cm for 32 weeks,6.6 cm for 36 weeks, and 7.35 cm for >36 weeks. (2) Foot length measurement directly correlated with the birth weight with the cut off forVLBW babies being 6.25 cm, for weight< 2000gm being 6.78 cm and LBW being 7.92 cm.Conclusion: Present study strongly recommends foot length measurement as an easy, fast,accurate, and low-cost tool for predicting prematurity and low birth weight not only in the hospitalsetup but also for community health providers.

Mice of the genus Sylvaemus (Rodentia, Muridae) in Mykolaiv Oblast (Ukraine)

A revision of species composition of the genus Sylvaemus in the territory of Mykolaiv Oblast (Ukraine) was carried out. The occurrence of three species was conformed: S. sylvaticus, S. tauricus, and S. uralensis. The species S. arianus was not found in the Kinburn Peninsula. Morphological features, aspects of ecology and biology of the species are given. Sylvaemus sylvaticus dominates in woods and shrubs, S. uralensis prevails in open habitats, and S. tauricus is a non-abundant species occurring only in the forest-steppe zone. The breeding season has only one peak in July. The dependence of the main morphometric features from the age was examined. The most important features revealed are the length of foot (Pl) and ear (Au). Tail length (Ca) has the lowest diagnostic value.

Assessment of Foot Shape in Adult Females of Bangalee and Chakma Ethnic Groups

Background :Foot morphology differs among ethnic groups. Proper knowledge ofpopulation specific variations are necessary for industrial design and forensicinvestigations. The study was aimed to measure the foot and determine the footshape of adult Bangalee and Chakma females to find out and compare any ethnicvariation.
 Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 200 Chakma and 200Bangalee adult females. Foot length and foot breadth were measured by slidecaliper. Foot index was calculated and foot shape was determined from foot index.
 Results: Mean value for length, breadth and index of foot were significantly higherin Chakmas than Bangalees. Percentage of slender foot was higher in Bangalees andbroad foot shape was found more in Chakmas. Most of the participants of these twogroups have standard foot shape.
 Conclusion: Bangalee and Chakma adult females showed differences in structuralcharacteristics of foot which may be attributed to their ethnicity and environment.
 Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.19 (1); January 2020; Page 59-62

Measuring newborn foot length to estimate gestational age in a high risk Northwest Ethiopian population.

IntroductionPreterm birth is defined as all births before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Globally, the prevalence rate of preterm birth ranges from 47.5 to 137 per 1000 live births. In Ethiopia, the prevalence of preterm birth is 10.1%. Several anthropometric parameters, particularly, head circumference and foot length(FL) have been used as a proxy measure for gestational age(GA).ObjectiveTo assess the use of newborn foot length as a screening tool to identify preterm newborns and correlation factors at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UOG CSH), Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsInstitutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 205 newborns admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, UOG CSH. Systematic sampling technique was employed. Optimal cutoff newborn foot length and area under the curve (AUC) was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to assess the power of foot length measurement to diagnosis prematurity.ResultsThe mean foot length was 7.41±0.67 cm with a range of 5.4–8.6 cm. Gestational age had a significant strong positive correlation with foot length(r = 0.865). The regression equation derived was GA = 4.5*FL + 3.61. Foot length had strong power (AUC = 0.99) to differentiate preterm from term newborns. A threshold newborn foot length of ≤7.35 cm had a sensitivity and specificity of 98.5% and 96.3%, respectively to predict prematurity.ConclusionFoot length had a high sensitivity and specificity in identifying preterm newborns, making it a reliable tool to identify preterm birth in a rural setting.

A Simple Foot Plantar Pressure Measurement Platform System Using Force-Sensing Resistors

Generally, there are two types of working style, i.e., some people work in sitting conditions, and the remaining work mostly in a standing position. For people working in a standing position, they can spend hours in a day doing their work standing. These people do not realize that it can cause medical issues, especially for the feet, namely biometric problems. In addition, several doctors in Indonesia are already aware of this issue and state that the biometric problems faced by those kinds of people can be predicted from the load distribution on the foot. However, the tool used by the doctors in Indonesia to measure biometric problems is not a digital tool. Therefore it is very difficult to measure and predict the biometric problems quantitatively. This study aims to develop a low-cost static load measuring device using force-sensing resistor (FSR) sensors. The measuring instrument is designed in the form of a pressure plate platform which consist of 30 FSR 402 sensors. The sensors are placed right underneath the display area of the foot, 15 sensors on the soles of the left and right feet. Ten students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Diponegoro University (five men and five women) were asked to stand on the platform. Each subject also measured foot length (FL) to estimate shoe size, foot area contact (FAC) for validation between genders, and foot type using the digital footprint tools. From the results of measurements obtained for the left foot in the medial mid foot area, i.e., in sensors 5 and 7, not exposed to the load, on almost all subjects except subject number 3 with a load of 0.196 kg on sensor 7. The highest average load occurs in the heel area i.e., sensor 1 measured 0.713 kg and the smallest average load occurs in the five sensors, with 0 kg. A static load gauge that is designed to be used to measure each leg area for subjects with a shoe size of 40–42 with low price to be held in hospital-orthopedic hospitals and biomechanical research centers.

Postural control of size of the feet of children in school age

Introduction: Postural control is the interaction between the systems, the central nervous and the musculoskeletal, based on information from the system somatosensory, vestibular and visual, to capture and control the body segments, alignments and movements. The studies reporting that data the anthropometric influence on the postural control, among the findings arte the characteristics of the feet, such as foot size and type. The gold standard instrument of evaluation of postural control is the force platform (PF). Objective: To determine the correlation between postural control and the length of the feet in students with eight years old. Method: Cross-sectional Study with convenience sample with students enrolled in schools of the city of Londrina/PR. The collection consisted of personal identification, anthropometric data, and assessment of postural control on the FP. The body mass was obtained by means of weighing on a digital scale, stature was measured using a tape measure and the length of the feet was measured by means of a tape measure positioned in the calcaneus until the end of the first finger. The evaluation of the postural control was in unipodal support, 30 seconds permanence, three attempts with one-minute interval between them. Results: We evaluated 346 school, 180 (52%) female and 166 (48%) were male. Leg preference was to the right on 224 (64.7%), and the median length of feet was of 0.21 (0.21/0.22) (m). The children presented themselves in the position one-leg area of the COP 13.41±6.77 (cm2 ). The correlation of COP with size of the feet has been identified, but considered to be low (p=0.000 and r= 0.224). Conclusion: The correlation between the postural control and the length of the feet was low, since the complex mechanism in which other intrinsic factors and extrinsic are also able to influence it.

Fatigue failure and optimization of double-sided weld in orthotropic steel bridge decks

Double-sided weld is an effective way to improve the fatigue performance of orthotropic steel bridge decks (OSBD). However, the fatigue performance and optimization design methods of double-sided welds connecting the U-rib and the deck in OSBD require further study. In this paper, the finite element modeling method suitable for the notch stress approach in double-sided welds is discussed, and its variance from that of the single-sided weld is revealed. All possible fatigue failure modes of double-sided welds, the transfer phenomenon of fatigue crack initiation location and the change of fatigue failure modes under different vehicle loading conditions are revealed. It is further discussed that how the change of the deck plate thickness and the weld foot length alters the fatigue failure mode under the same loading condition. According to the above analysis, in order to obtain the optimal fatigue performance of double-sided welds, an optimal design method based on the fatigue damage factor per unit time under real vehicle loading conditions is proposed. The analysis results show that the fatigue failure modes of the double-sided welds of the U-rib-to-deck welded joint in the OSBD is determined by three factors: loading condition, deck plate thickness and weld foot length. According to the optimization factor proposed in this paper, the thickness of the deck plate and the length of the weld foot can be reasonably determined under different traffic loading conditions, so that the fatigue performance of the rib-to-deck joint in the OSBD is optimized.

Anthropometric Analysis of Foot Length, Breadth and Shape in Adult Bangalee Females of Chattogram: An Observational Study

Background: Foot is a complex, multi-segmented structure. Each segment act in a coordinated manner to provide support and absorb shock during locomotion. Foot morphology differs among population groups. The objectives of this study were to determine the selected foot dimensions and foot shape of adult Bangalee females to find out any ethnic characteristics of their own.
 Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 200 Bangalee adult females within 18-44 years age. Foot length and foot breadth were measured by slide caliper. Foot index was calculated from foot length and foot breadth. Foot shape was determined from foot index by using a pre determined formula.
 Results: The mean value for length, breadth and index of foot in Bangalee females were 22.91±0.79 cm, 8.55±0.4cm and 37.35±1.92 respectively. Most of the participants (68%) had standard foot shape. 17.5% women had slender foot whereas14% had broad foot shapes.
 Conclusion: The results of this study should be useful for anatomists, anthropologists and forensic experts.
 JCMCTA 2020 ; 31 (1) : 54-57

Effects of Different Ankle Supports on the Single-Leg Lateral Drop Landing Following Muscle Fatigue in Athletes with Functional Ankle Instability

Background: Ankle support has been utilized for athletes with functional ankle instability (FAI), however, its effect on the landing performance during muscle fatigue is not well understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of ankle supports (ankle brace vs. Kinesio tape) on athletes with FAI following fatigued single-leg landing. Methods: Thirty-three young FAI athletes (CAIT scores < 24) were randomly allocated to control (Cn), ankle brace (AB) and Kinesio tape (KT) groups. All athletes performed single-leg lateral drop landings following ankle fatigue protocol. The fatigue-induced changes in kinetic parameters were measured among three groups. Results: A significant increase in peak vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) was found in the AB group (0.12% body weight (BW)) compared to that of the KT (0.02% BW) and Cn (median = 0.01% BW) groups. Significant decrease in both COP medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) ranges were also found in the KT group (median = −0.15% foot width (FW) & median = −0.28% foot length (FL)) than those of the Cn group (median = 0.67% FW& median = 0.88% FL). Conclusions: Ankle braces might hamper the ability to absorb the impact force during landing. On the other hand, Kinesio tape might be beneficial for the postural control during landing.

To Assess Correlation of Stature with Hand & Foot Length

Background: Human stature is an anatomical complex of linear dimensions,including skull, vertebralcolumn, pelvis and lower extremities. The present study was conducted to assess correlation of stature withhand & foot length.Materials and Method: The present study was conducted on 185 students (males- 81, females- 104) in theage group of 18-24 years. Stature, hand length and foot length was measured in all subjects with the help ofdigital verniercalipers.Results: Themean height of males was 172.3 cm and females was 156.8 cm. The difference was significant(P< 0.05). The mean right hand length in males was 18.6 cm and in females was 16.5 cm, left hand lengthin males was 18.3 cm and in females was 16.2 cm. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean rightfoot length in males was 28.7 cm and in females was 22.5 cm, left foot length in males was 28.3 cm and infemales was 22.1 cm. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). A positive correlation of stature with handand foot length was found.Conclusion: Authors found a positive correlation of stature with length of hand and foot in subjects.

External pressure at calf region in low lithotomy position is higher in men and increases proportionately with height, weight, lower leg size, and foot length

ObjectivePatients placed in lithotomy position (LP) with a leg holder during surgical procedures have been at particular risk of developing well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS). A commonly considered contributing factor of WLCS is obesity. LP is mainly divided into the following four types by the degree of hip angulation and height of lower leg placement relative to the heart: low, standard, high, and exaggerated. We have reported that the external pressure at the calf region in standard LP is independent of weight. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the external pressure in low LP and physical characteristics, such as body, leg, and foot sizes. MethodsFifty-five volunteers, 27 men and 28 women, participated in this study. They were placed in low LP with the boot-support-type leg holder, with the hip joints flexed at 170° from the trunk and abducted at 45°, and with the knee joints flexed at 120°. Peak contact pressure (PCP) at the calf region was measured as representative external pressure by using the pressure distribution measurement system, BIG-MAT®. ResultsThe mean PCPs at the left and right calf regions in men (37.6 and 39.3 mmHg, respectively) were significantly higher than those in women (31.5 and 33.6 mmHg [P = 0.014 and 0.001], respectively). The left PCPs correlated positively with height (P = 0.003), weight (P = 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.037), tibial length (TL) (P < 0.001), bimalleolar breadth (BB) (P = 0.046), maximum calf girth (MCG) (P = 0.035), and foot length (FL) (P = 0.001); and the right PCPs correlated positively with height (P < 0.001), weight (P < 0.001), BMI (P = 0.063), TL (P < 0.001), BB (P = 0.001), MCG (P = 0.005), and FL (P = 0.001). ConclusionThe external pressure at the calf region in low LP is higher in men and increases proportionately with height, weight, lower leg size, and FL, which may contribute to the risks of inducing WLCS during surgeries performed in low LP.

Effect of sex on biometry and morphological indices of Japanese quails (Ccoturnix Coturnix Japonica)

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sex on biometry and morphological indices of Japanese quails. A total of one hundred and fifteen finisher quails (115) comprising 30 males and 85 females of ten (10) weeks of age were used for this study. The quails were procured from the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Vom, Plateau State Nigeria. They were managed in a deep litter system of housing from day old to finisher phase (10 weeks). The sex of the quails were identified by the production of cloacal foam following the standard protocol. Female quails recorded higher (P&lt;0.05) body weight, massiveness and appears to be better for long leggedness than their male counterpart. The lower values observed for the female quails for long leggedness is an indication of blockier appearance a characteristics for meatiness. The results of the Pearson correlation for the male quails indicates that there were strong positive correlation for Body weight(BW) and Body length(BL)(r=0.465 at P&lt;0.01), BW and Breast circumference(BC), BL and BC, Foot length(FL) and Wing length(WL) (r=0.577, 0.429 and 0.451 at P&lt;0.05). For the female quails, strong positive correlation were observed for BC and WL, FL and WL (r=0.339, 0.332 at P&lt;0.01), BL and FL, FL and TLL (r=0.270, 0.263 P&lt;0.05). There was also a strong negative correlation observed for Thigh circumference (TC) and FL (r=0.406 at P&lt;0.01). The result of ?2 for the sex was also significant (P&lt;0.05). This findings would aid in the selection and breeding programme for quails? improvement.

Analysis of chippaux smirak index on dynamic balance scores

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine whether Chippaux Smirak Index (CSI) calculated from footprint and measurements taken from foot have an effect on balance scores. Materials and Methods: 61volunteers (25 males, 36 females) between the ages of 18 and 24 were included in our study and 122 feet were measured. Footprints of the participants were taken by using Harris imprint. Footprints were scanned, the parameters were measured with Digimizer program and CSI was calculated. Metatarsal foot width (MFW), maximum metatarsal foot width (MMFW), length of the foot (LoFA), heel width (HW) and foot length (FL) taken from footprints were measured. Individuals with CSI >62.70% were considered as flatfooted and excluded from the study. Dynamic balance measurements were made with Biodex Balance System (BBS) (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, 2000, New York). Overall (OA), anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) dynamic balance assessments of the participants were made with eyes open. Results: According to Mann Whitney U analysis results, statistically significant difference was found between MFW, MMFW, LoFA, HW and FL parameters of men and women in both feet (p0.05). It was found that OA, AP and ML balance scores had a statistically significant difference between men and women for dynamic balance (p0.05). According to Sperman Rho correlation analysis, a positive correlation was found between weight and body mass index (BMI) and balance scores in men and women. It was found that there was no significant correlation between CSI and balance scores. Conclusion: As a conclusion, while no association was found between weight and BMI and CSI, a positive correlation was found between weight and balance scores. We believe the fact that women have lower BMI gives them an advantage in terms of balance scores. In addition, it was found as a result of this study that there was no association between CSI and balance scores. We believe that our study will have an important place in literature and be a guide since we compared both genders.

Thermophysiological wear comfort of viscose and tencel socks

Men’s socks were designed and manufactured in multiple plated single jersey structure using 20 tex viscose and Tencel yarn, 156 and 220 dtex multifilament PA 6.6 yarn and 25 tex cotton yarn. Sock mass and sock thickness were determined, the height of the sock leg, the length of the sock foot and half of the leg circumference and half of the foot circumference were measured. Thermophysiological sock wear comfort was determined by measuring thermal resistance on the thermal foot manikin. The results revealed that the sock samples containing the ring spun yarn in the structure had higher thermal resistance than the socks containing rotor and air-jet spun yarns. The obtained difference of thermal resistance of the sock samples per type of the basic yarn was significant. The viscose socks made of ring spun yarns with an added coarser cotton yarn and PA 6.6 yarn had the highest thermal resistance, while the lowest thermal resistance was recorded for the Tencel rotor spun yarns