RESUMO
The midfoot joint complex (MFJC) is related to the mechanics and efficiency of the walking propulsive phase and low midfoot passive stiffness may require compensatory foot and ankle joint moments to avoid excessive pronation and inefficient propulsion. This study aimed to investigate the kinematics and kinetics of the MFJC and ankle during the propulsive phase of walking in subjects with larger and smaller midfoot passive stiffness. MFJC passive stiffness of 20 healthy adult participants, and the kinematics and kinetics of the MFJC (forefoot-rearfoot) and ankle (rearfoot-shank) during the stance phase of walking were measured. The participants were divided equally into two groups according to the MFJC passive stiffness. Ranges of motion (ROM) and mean joint moments were computed for the late stance. Independent t-tests (α = 0.05) revealed that subjects with lower midfoot passive stiffness showed an increased MFJC sagittal ROM (flattened longitudinal arch) (p = 0.002), increased ankle frontal ROM (more everted positions) (p = 0.002), increased MFJC frontal ROM (more inverted positions) (p = 0.019), as well as a tendency for larger ankle sagittal ROM (p = 0.056). They also showed increased MFJC (p = 0.021) and ankle (p = 0.018) moments in the sagittal plane, increased MFJC moment in the frontal plane (p = 0.047) and a tendency for a predominant ankle moment in the frontal (p = 0.058). Foot and ankle joint moments are possible strategies to reduce pronation and improve propulsion, but not sufficient to prevent the altered kinematics related to low midfoot stiffness. Therefore, midfoot passive stiffness is critical for foot and ankle kinematics and kinetics during walking propulsive phase and is a potential target of interventions.
Assuntos
Articulação do Tornozelo , Caminhada , Adulto , Tornozelo , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Marcha , Humanos , CinéticaRESUMO
SUMMARY: The objective of this research is to relate the performance in three vertical jump events with morphological variables of the foot and stature. A total of 177 practitioners of 12 sporting events aged 24.5 ±8.0 years, with 71.01 ±13.00 kg of body mass, 1.71±0.09 m height, and BMI of 24.29±3.24 kg·m-2 were evaluated with an anthropometer in terms of foot length (FL), forefoot width (FW), navicular height (NH), and hindfoot width (HW). These variables were normalized to the height of the subjects. From the footprint record the arch index (AI) was obtained, which indicates the morphology of the medial longitudinal foot arch (MLFA). Performance was evaluated in three vertical jump events: countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), and drop jump (DJ), recording the height reached. FL, FW and HW show a weak positive correlation (r<0.4; p<0.05) with the heights achieved in the three types of jump. The stature is strongly associated with FL, FW and HW (r=0.8; r=0.7 and r=0.6; respectively; p<0.05) and with the height in CMJ, SJ, and DJ (r=0.37; r=0.41 and r=0.32, respectively, p<0.05). The only normalized morphological foot variable that maintained consistency in the correlations analysis was the normalized foot length (NFL) with CMJ (r = 0.2, p<0,05). The subjects whose left foot length was equivalent to 14 % of the stature jumped 27.94 ±6.63 cm, those with 15 % jumped 30.96 ±7.4 cm, and those with 16 % jumped 31.03 ±7.8 cm. FL, FW, HW, and stature are moderately correlated with performance in vertical jump events. However, after discarding the stature of the subjects, only the foot length maintained its relation with performance in CMJ.
RESUMEN: El objetivo de esta investigación fue relacionar el rendimiento en salto vertical con variables morfológicas del pie y estatura. 177 practicantes de 12 disciplinas deportivas de 24,5 ±8,0 años; 71,01 ±13,00 kg; 1,71 ±0,09 m, e IMC de 24,29 ±3,24 kg•m-2 fueron evaluados con un antropómetro obteniendo longitud de pie (FL), ancho de antepié (FW), altura navicular (NH) y ancho de retropié (HW). Estas variables fueron normalizadas a la estatura. Se midió la huella plantar obteniendo el índice del arco (AI), el cual indica la morfología del arco plantar longitudinal medial (MLFA). El rendimiento fue evaluado en tres pruebas de salto: salto con contramovimiento (CMJ), sentadilla con salto (SJ) y salto desde caída (DJ), registrando la altura alcanzada. FL, FW y HW mostraron una débil correlación positiva (r<0,4; p<0,05) con la altura alcanzada en los tres saltos. La estatura se asocia con FL, FW y HW (r=0,8; r=0,7 y r=0,6; respectivamente; p<0,05) y con la altura en CMJ, SJ y DJ (r=0,37; r=0,41 y r=0,32, respectivamente, p<0,05). La única variable normalizada del pie que mantuvo consistencia en el análisis de correlaciones fue la longitud del pie normalizada (NFL) con CMJ (r=0,2; p<0,05). Los sujetos cuyo pie tiene una longitud equivalente al 14 % de la estatura saltaron 27,94 ±6,63 cm, los que equivalen al 15 % saltaron 30,96 ±7,4 cm y quienes tuvieron un pie equivalente a un 16 % de la estatura saltaron 31,03 ±7,8 cm. FL, FW, HW y la estatura se correlacionan moderadamente con el rendimiento en salto vertical. Sin embargo, después de descartar la estatura de los sujetos, solamente la longitud del pie mantiene su relación con el rendimiento en CMJ.