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The effects of habitual footwear use: Foot shape and function in native barefoot walkers
Abstract and Figures
The human foot was anatomically modern long before footwear was invented, and is adapted to barefoot walking on natural substrates. Understanding the biomechanics of habitually barefoot walkers can provide novel insights both for anthropologist and for applied scientists, yet the necessary data is virtually non-existent. To start assessing morphological and functional effects of the habitual use of footwear, we have studied a population of habitually barefoot walkers from India (n ¼ 70), and compared them with a habitually shod Indian control group (n ¼ 137) and a Western population (n ¼ 48). We focused on foot metrics and on the analysis of plantar pressure data, which was performed using a novel, pixel based method (Pataky and Goulermas 2008, Journal of Biomechanics, 41, 2136). Habitually shod Indians wore less often, and less constricting shoes than Western people. Yet, we found significant differences with their habitually barefoot peers, both in foot shape and in pressure distribution. Barefoot walkers had wider feet and more equally distributed peak pressures, i.e. the entire load carrying surface was contributing more uniformly than in habitually shod subjects, where regions of very high or very low peak pressures were more apparent. Western subjects differed strongly from both Indian populations (and most from barefoot Indians), by having relatively short and, especially, slender feet, with more focal and higher peak pressures at the heel, metatarsals and hallux. The evolutionary history of humans shows that barefoot walking is the biologically natural situation. The use of footwear remains necessary, especially on unnatural substrates, in athletics, and in some pathologies, but current data suggests that footwear that fails to respect natural foot shape and function will ultimately alter the morphology and the biomechanical behaviour of the foot.
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... Additionally, variation in MLA height is also assumed to be related to footwear, lifestyles and subsistence strategies. For example, most barefoot hunter-gatherers show wider and flatter feet compared to shod populations 29,30 . However, conflicting evidence exists regarding an increased foot width in barefoot populations, and only a few studies have controlled for confounding variables (e.g., sex, ethnicity, BMI) 31,32 . ...
... Indeed, it has been demonstrated that most barefoot hunter-gatherers display wider and flatter foot strikes with respect to shod populations. This condition likely helps the foot conform to irregular natural surfaces (such as an unbroken forest floor) and promotes more tactile environmental stimuli, contributing to maintaining foot stability during substrate contacts 29,30,51 . Likely, foot joint kinematics and morphological foot features of unshod or minimally shod hunter-gatherers are more representative of the biomechanical circumstances in which the H. sapiens foot evolved compared to H. sapiens in modern industrialised societies, and in this sense, the similarity the former share with the congenital flexible flatfoot group is especially intriguing. ...
The evolution of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) is one of the most impactful adaptations in the hominin foot that emerged with bipedalism. When and how it evolved in the human lineage is still unresolved. Complicating the issue, clinical definitions of flatfoot in living Homo sapiens have not reached a consensus. Here we digitally investigate the navicular morphology of H. sapiens (living, archaeological, and fossil), great apes, and fossil hominins and its correlation with the MLA. A distinctive navicular shape characterises living H. sapiens with adult acquired flexible flatfoot, while the congenital flexible flatfoot exhibits a ‘normal’ navicular shape. All H. sapiens groups differentiate from great apes independently from variations in the MLA, likely because of bipedalism. Most australopith, H. naledi, and H. floresiensis navicular shapes are closer to those of great apes, which is inconsistent with a human-like MLA and instead might suggest a certain degree of arboreality. Navicular shape of OH 8 and fossil H. sapiens falls within the normal living H. sapiens spectrum of variation of the MLA (including congenital flexible flatfoot and individuals with a well-developed MLA). At the same time, H. neanderthalensis seem to be characterised by a different expression of the MLA.
... Vários estudos transversais avaliaram o efeito de viver habitualmente descalço na postura e na mecânica do pé e há um consenso de que indivíduos habitualmente descalços têm pés mais fortes e menos deformidades 11,12 . A diferença mais evidente é a região do antepé mais larga para indivíduos que habitualmente andam descalços 13 , e um arco longitudinal medial (ALM) mais alto para pés habitualmente descalços em crianças 11 , além de serem mais flexíveis 14 . ...
... Porém, o uso de calçados continua necessário, especialmente em solos não naturais, dessa forma, quando o terreno não permitir a locomoção com os pés descalços, deve-se optar por modelos que protejam os pés de lesões, mas que seja irrestrito, permitindo que o pé funcione tanto quanto na condição descalça 13 . Isso pode explicar uma menor porcentagem de indivíduos que tem como preferência o sapato como modelo mais utilizado no grupo GPE possivelmente para minimizar a dor e assim direcionar para uma reflexão sobre o a escolha do tipo/modelo de calçado apropriado para garantir a saúde dos pés. ...
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil funcional, características do pé, o hábito de andar descalço de indivíduos com alterações musculoesqueléticas nos pés e comparar com indivíduos controle. Os participantes foram avaliados por meio de questionário eletrônico. Dados antropométricos, funcionalidade dos pés, hábito de andar descalço, tipo de calçado, tipo de pé e pisada e qual comprometimento do pé foram coletados. A amostra total foi composta por 160 indivíduos divididos em grupo controle (GC) (n=82) e grupo problemas no pé (GPE) (n=78). O hálux valgo foi o principal tipo de problema no grupo GPE (24,4%), com uma maior porcentagem de participantes com doença crônica (35,9%), tipos de pés cavos (pé esquerdo (PE) 16,7% e pé direito (PD) 19,2%) ou planos (PE 21,8% e PD 21,8%) e com o Índice de função do pé comprometido em 7% (P =0,001). Ambos os grupos consideram o hábito de andar descalço saudável (72% GC e 66,7% GPE), porém não são adeptos deste hábito (93,9% GC e 91% GPE). O sapato foi o modelo menos utilizado pelo GPE (10,3%). Concluímos que indivíduos do grupo GPE apresentaram maior associação de alterações morfofuncionais com a presença de distúrbios nos pés e que o hábito de andar descalço apesar de ser considerado um aspecto positivo para a saúde dos pés de ambos os grupos, nenhum destes o praticam.
... Vários estudos transversais avaliaram o efeito de viver habitualmente descalço na postura e na mecânica do pé e há um consenso de que indivíduos habitualmente descalços têm pés mais fortes e menos deformidades 11,12 . A diferença mais evidente é a região do antepé mais larga para indivíduos que habitualmente andam descalços 13 , e um arco longitudinal medial (ALM) mais alto para pés habitualmente descalços em crianças 11 , além de serem mais flexíveis 14 . ...
... Porém, o uso de calçados continua necessário, especialmente em solos não naturais, dessa forma, quando o terreno não permitir a locomoção com os pés descalços, deve-se optar por modelos que protejam os pés de lesões, mas que seja irrestrito, permitindo que o pé funcione tanto quanto na condição descalça 13 . Isso pode explicar uma menor porcentagem de indivíduos que tem como preferência o sapato como modelo mais utilizado no grupo GPE possivelmente para minimizar a dor e assim direcionar para uma reflexão sobre o a escolha do tipo/modelo de calçado apropriado para garantir a saúde dos pés. ...
O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o perfil funcional, características do pé, o hábito de andar descalço de indivíduos com alterações musculoesqueléticas nos pés e comparar com indivíduos controle. Os participantes foram avaliados por meio de questionário eletrônico. Dados antropométricos, funcionalidade dos pés, hábito de andar descalço, tipo de calçado, tipo de pé e pisada e qual comprometimento do pé foram coletados. A amostra total foi composta por 160 indivíduos divididos em grupo controle (GC) (n=82) e grupo problemas no pé (GPE) (n=78). O hálux valgo foi o principal tipo de problema no grupo GPE (24,4%), com uma maior porcentagem de participantes com doença crônica (35,9%), tipos de pés cavos (pé esquerdo (PE) 16,7% e pé direito (PD) 19,2%) ou planos (PE 21,8% e PD 21,8%) e com o Índice de função do pé comprometido em 7% (P =0,001). Ambos os grupos consideram o hábito de andar descalço saudável (72% GC e 66,7% GPE), porém não são adeptos deste hábito (93,9% GC e 91% GPE). O sapato foi o modelo menos utilizado pelo GPE (10,3%). Concluímos que indivíduos do grupo GPE apresentaram maior associação de alterações morfofuncionais com a presença de distúrbios nos pés e que o hábito de andar descalço apesar de ser considerado um aspecto positivo para a saúde dos pés de ambos os grupos, nenhum destes o praticam.
... Moreover, the shape and function of the foot can change over the course of an individual's life. Factors including genetics [1], footwear [2], environment, and disease may all play a role in the development of and changes to the structure and function of the foot. ...
The morphology and function of the human foot vary significantly across individuals, generally a result of the underlying musculoskeletal structures. While these are continuous, multi-dimensional spectrums, for clinical and anatomical ease of categorization, feet are generally grouped into three types: cavus (high arched), neutral, or planus (flatfoot). This chapter will provide an overview of these foot types, reviewing their structural and functional differences, as well as the tools that are used to help define each type. An overview of the biomechanics of different foot types will be presented. Associations between foot type and clinical problems along with potential treatments will be covered. Future areas of research will also be discussed.
... Excessive deformation of the arch is facilitated by weakness of the intrinsic foot muscles [2][3][4]6,7]. Modern footwear use is associated with weaker intrinsic foot muscles [7,8] a greater prevalence of flat feet [9] and changes to the shape of the foot that are not seen in habitually barefoot or minimally shod populations [7,10,11]. ...
Background:
Foot characteristics and running biomechanics in shod populations are associated with the aetiology of plantar fasciitis, the most common musculoskeletal disease of the foot. Previous Case reports have demonstrated improvements in the symptoms of plantar fasciitis after a period of barefoot running on grass.
Methods:
Recreational runners with symptomatic plantar fasciitis were prospectively enrolled into a 6-week grass based barefoot running programme. Duration of symptoms, previous management and current pain scores (NRS, VAS) were recorded at entry. Daily pain scores were recorded during the 6-week period and 12 weeks from entry to the programme.
Results:
In total, 20 of 28 patients (71.4%) enrolled were included in the analysis. Relative to the entry point, pain at 6-weeks was lower (2.5 ± 1.4 vs. 3.9 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and pain at the 12-week point was lower (1.5 (1.8), p = 0.002). 19 out of 20 patients had improved at week-6 (mean ± SD % change in pain score, -38.8 ± 21.5%) and at week-12 (median (IQR) % change in pain score, -58.3 (34.8) %).
Conclusion:
Barefoot running on grass improved pain associated with plantar fasciitis at the 6-week and 12-week follow up points. This type of barefoot running has the ability to improve symptoms whilst allowing patients to continue running, the intervention may also address some impairments of the foot associated with plantar fasciitis.
In diesem Beitrag-Einfluss von Schuhen auf die anatomische Fußstruktur-Einfluss von Schuhen auf die Gang-und Laufbiomechanik-Praktische Relevanz Leistungsfähigkeit · Verletzungs-und Sturzprävention QR-Code scannen & Beitrag online lesen Zusammenfassung Individuelle Gang-und Laufmuster entwickeln sich in Abhängigkeit von internen (u. a. anatomischen, anthropometrischen) und externen (aktivitätsbedingten, umweltbedingten) Einflüssen. So wird der am häufigsten genutzte Laufstil mit einem Rückfußaufsatz vor allem auf die vermehrte Schuhdämpfung zurückgeführt, obwohl aus anthropologischer Perspektive das Barfuß-und somit Vorfußlaufen als das natürliche Laufen gilt. Eine Reihe von Forschungsarbeiten konnte Einflüsse langfristiger gewohnter Schuhnutzung auf die Fußmorphologie, Laufbiomechanik, motorische Kompetenz und Laufleistung aufzeigen. Aber auch ein sofortiger Wechsel der Schuhbedingung durch z. B. Barfußlaufen führt zu unmittelbaren Veränderungen der Laufkinematik und der Vertikalbelastung. Bisher liegen allerdings keine belastbaren wissenschaftlichen Nachweise für einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Schuhnutzung bzw. den fußaufsatzbedingten Aufprallkräften und der Prävalenz von Verletzungen oder Überlastungsschäden vor. Schlüsselwörter Fuß · Vorfuß, menschlicher · Kinematik · Laufen · Schuhe Aus anthropologischer Perspektive gilt das Barfußlaufen als die natürlichere Form des Laufens [1]. Ca. 99% der Ent-wicklungshistorie des aufrechten (bi-pedalen) Ganges erfolgte unter unbe-schuhten Bedingungen [2]. In der Kon-sequenz stellt sich die Frage, welchen Einfluss die heute weit verbreitete Nut-zung von Schuhen auf fußmorphologi-sche Strukturen, die Biomechanik des Gehens und Laufens und somit auch auf die Fußgesundheit und Bewegungsge-wohnheiten hat.
This special issue deals with the different techniques of rehabilitation and improvement of postural function
Modern human feet are considered unique among primates in their capacity to transmit propulsive forces and re-use elastic energy. Considered central to both these capabilities are their arched configuration and the plantar aponeurosis (PA). However, recent evidence has shown that their interactions are not as simple as proposed by the theoretical and mechanical models that established their significance. Using three-dimensional foot scans and statistical shape and deformation modelling, we show that the shape of the longitudinal and transverse arches varies widely among the healthy adult population, and that the former is subject to load-induced arch flattening, whereas the latter is not. However, longitudinal arch shape and flattening are only one of the various foot shape–deformation relationships. PA stiffness was also found to vary widely. Yet only a small amount of this variability (approx. 10–18%) was explained by variations in foot shape, deformation and their combination. These findings add to the mounting evidence showing that foot mechanics are complex and cannot be accurately represented by simple models. Especially the interactions between longitudinal arch and PA appear to be far less constrained than originally proposed, most likely due to the many degrees of freedom provided by the structural complexity of our feet.
INTRODUCTION :
In the military environment, the function of the foot is constrained by the daily wearing of combat boots, a veritable orthopedic brace. A significant segment of the military population reports shoe-related foot disorders and pain, but there is little research evaluating the effects of military footwear on the development of these disorders, both internationally and in the Algerian context. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of regular wearing of Rangers type military footwear on the soldier's foot, by studying the incidence of musculoskeletal and skin disorders affecting the ankle-foot complex during a 12-month follow-up period, and by comparing foot health status before and after wearing military footwear.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS :
This is a prospective study of the longitudinal type on a population of young male adults following their training in a military school in the south-east of Algeria. These new recruits were observed for a period of twelve months with regular wearing of Rangers type military footwear. This follow-up period extends from T0 to T12 knowing that T0 corresponds to the date of incorporation, and T12 corresponds to twelve months after the start of military training. During this period, we recorded all the cases consulting for a problem of the foot or the ankle, on a register created especially for this purpose. Foot status was analyzed at T0 and at T12 using three evaluation methods : clinical, podoscopic and functional. The footprint taken by the electronic podoscope was analyzed by calculating the Chippaux Smirak Index (CSI) and measuring the Alpha angle (α) of hallux valgus and the Beta angle (ß) of quintus varus of the two feet. To assess the functional impact, we opted for the use of the scale "Lower Extremity Functional Scale" in its Arabic version (LEFS-Ar). Furthermore, a comparative analysis before after wearing the shoe was carried out for the different parameters studied.
RESULTS :
426 soldiers are participating in this study, of which 384 have completed all stages of the protocol. In this young adult population (mean age = 19.5 ± 0.89 years), the cumulative incidence of all foot and ankle disorders was estimated at 80.5%. The incidence of musculoskeletal disorders is higher than that of dermatological disorders (64.6% versus 38.5%). The main risk factors retained are footwear mismatch, obesity, lower limb misalignments, lower limb previous injuries, and anatomical shape of the foot.
Abstract
The comparison of foot statue before and after wearing combat boots (T0/T12) showed a significant upward trend in the prevalence of the majority of foot disorders. This difference concerns the musculoskeletal disorders such as hallux valgus, quintus varus, claw toes and overlapping toes, and the dermatological disorders such as corns, calluses, blisters, wounds, and onychodystrophies. Comparative analysis of the T0/T12 footprint indicates a significant increase in the CSI (p < 0.001), the Alpha angle (α) of hallux valgus on the left foot (p < 0.005), and the Beta angle (ß) quintus varus on both feet (p < 0.001). Regarding the evolution of the functional state from T0 to T12, we observe a very significant regression (p < 0.005) in the LEFS-Ar score.
DISCUSSION & CONCLUSION:
These results confirm that podiatric disorders remain fairly common among military personnel. Its frequency seems to worsen with the wearing of Rangers type military footwear. These epidemiological data, obtained in a completely original way, can help in the planning of future prevention interventions.
Keywords:
Military footwear, foot deformities, musculoskeletal disorders, footprint, Chippaux Smirak Index, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Algeria
The energetic cost of running is relatively high in man. In spite of this, humans are adept endurance runners, capable of running down, for example, zebra and kangaroo. Distance running is made possible for man in part by an exceptional ability to dissipate exercise heat loads. Most mammals lose heat by panting, which is coupled to breathing and locomotor cycles during running. This interdependence may limit the effectiveness of panting as a means of heat dissipation. Because sweating is not dependent on respiration, it may be more compatible with running as a thermoregulatory mechanism. Furthermore, man's lack of body hair improves thermal conductance while running, as it facilitates convection at the skin surface. While horses, for example, have been shown to possess energetically optimal speeds in each gait, the energetic cost for a man to run a given distance does not change with speed. It is hypothesized that this is because bipedality allows breathing frequency to vary relative to stride frequency. Man's constant cost of transport may enable human hunters to pursue the prey animal at speeds that force it to run inefficiently, thereby expediting its eventual fatigue. Given what is known of heat dissipation in Old World Anthropoidea, the bipedality of early hominids, and human exercise physiology, one factor important in the origin of the Hominidae may have been the occupation of a new niche as a diurnal endurance predator.
In the research of running shoes, excessive pronation is often related to various running injuries. Anatomically, pronation is a movement that occurs in more than one joint. Previous investigations that evaluated the pronation in running studied the movements of the lower leg and the rearfoot only. However, pronation could also be influenced by the movement of the forefoot and therefore depend on the torsional stiffness of the foot and of the shoe sole. This study investigated the relationship between the torsion and the pronation in running with a rearfoot touchdown and with a forefoot touchdown. The results show that, compared to running barefoot, running with a shoe decreases torsion and thereby increases pronation significantly (p < 0.01) for the forefoot and rearfoot touchdown conditions. Thus the reduction of torsional movement due to stiff shoe soles could well be a reason for running injuries caused by excessive pronation. It is concluded that modern running shoes could be designed to allow a cert...
Striding bipedalism is a key derived behaviour of hominids that possibly originated soon after the divergence of the chimpanzee and human lineages. Although bipedal gaits include walking and running, running is generally considered to have played no major role in human evolution because humans, like apes, are poor sprinters compared to most quadrupeds. Here we assess how well humans perform at sustained long-distance running, and review the physiological and anatomical bases of endurance running capabilities in humans and other mammals. Judged by several criteria, humans perform remarkably well at endurance running, thanks to a diverse array of features, many of which leave traces in the skeleton. The fossil evidence of these features suggests that endurance running is a derived capability of the genus Homo, originating about 2 million years ago, and may have been instrumental in the evolution of the human body form.
Thirty healthy subjects were studied to determine whether and how changes in walking speed affect plantar pressure distribution and hindfoot angular motion. A capacitive pressure distribution platform and an electrogoniometer on the subjects' hind foot were used for data collection. There was a significant increase in peak pressure under the heel and the medial part of the forefoot and a significant decrease under the midfoot and lateral forefoot with increasing walking speed. This effect of a medialization of the loading pattern seems closely related to a more pronounced pronation motion as indicated by increased eversion of the hindfoot. The results emphasize the need for monitoring and controlling walking speed when comparing the foot loading characteristics of different groups of subjects.
Loading variables were compared for 35 elderly (71–90 years) and 35 young adult (aged 18–24) participants. Plantar pressures were measured at 70 Hz with a capacitive platform with a resolution of two sensors per square centimetre. Subjects were required to walk barefoot at their ‘preferred’ gait speed down a 15-m walkway. Gait speed was determined via a photoelectric timing system. Five right foot pressure trials were gathered and stored. During analysis seven plantar regions were identified: one heel, one midfoot, three forefoot (medial, central, and lateral), and two toe (medial toe or hallux and lesser toes). Averages were generated for each loading variable respective to each plantar region. Gait speed was significantly slower for the elderly than the young adults. Thus, gait speed was used as a covariate in a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to detect differences between the young adults and the elderly. Similar loading characteristics were found in the heel region of the foot. For the young adults, greater plantar loading occurred across the midfoot region. There was a difference in the loading rate across the medial forefoot region for the elderly and no differences in force or peak pressures. The medial forefoot region exhibited greatest peak pressure for the elderly. No differences were found between groups in the central forefoot. The elderly exhibited a greater contact area and less contact time. For the elderly, less force was produced relative to the medial toe region. No differences between the loading characteristics of the lateral toe region between the two groups were exhibited.