Three-dimensional ankle kinematics in children’s school shoes during running

Materials and methods Twenty children (mean age 9 years (SD2.3)) performed five running trials at a self-selected velocity barefoot and wearing school shoes (Daytona, Clarks) in a random order. A 14 camera 200Hz motion analysis system (EVaRT5.0, MAC) was used to calculate marker trajectories. Markers were attached to the right leg and a cluster wand was attached to the calcaneus through a window in the shoe. A standing reference trial was used to embed segment axes and then calculate ankle joint complex motion. Force plate data were collected at 1000Hz (KistlerTM). Data were normalised to the stance phase and sub-phases partitioned from the anterior/posterior force data as: loading (initial-contact – maximumnegative force); mid-stance (maximum-negative force – zero) and propulsion (positive force – toe-off).