Accurate measurement of ground reaction forces under discrete areas of the foot is important in the development of more advanced foot models, which can improve our understanding of foot and ankle function. To overcome current equipment limitations, a few investigators have proposed combining a pressure mat with a single force platform and using a proportionality assumption to estimate subarea s...

Kicking for distance in Australian Rules football is an important skill. Here, I examine technical aspects that contribute to achieving maximal kick distance. Twenty-eight elite players kicked for distance while being videoed at 500 Hz. Two-dimensional digitized data of nine body landmarks and the football were used to calculate kinematic parameters from kicking foot toe-off to the instant befo...

The two predominant scenarios for accidentally tripping a foot control are stepping into the foot control and onto the pedal, i.e., “stepping contact;” and keeping one foot on or just above the pedal at all times, i.e., “riding the pedal.” This study shows that the various designs used to minimize “stepping contact” exacerbate inadvertent activation by “riding the pedal.”

BACKGROUND Footwear dermatitis represents a common but often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed condition. Patch testing aids in its confirmation and identification of the offending allergen. AIMS This study aimed to find the frequency of positive patch test reactions in cases with suspected allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to footwear, as well as the common responsible allergens. MATERIALS AND M...

OBJECTIVE High plantar pressure is an acknowledged risk factor in the development of plantar ulcers in the diabetic neuropathic foot. This study examines the ability of preventive foot care (PFC) socks to reduce plantar foot pressures in a sample of high-risk patients with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Nineteen patients with established peripheral neuropathy attending a complications ...

Computational analyses of leg-muscle function in human locomotion commonly assume that contact between the foot and the ground occurs at discrete points on the sole of the foot. Kinematic constraints acting at these contact points restrict the motion of the foot and, therefore, alter model calculations of muscle function. The aim of this study was to evaluate how predictions of muscle function ...

The F-scan system was used to study plantar foot pressure in patients with a pronated foot type. Inshoe measurements were made under the first metatarsal head and medial heel with and without an orthotic in an extra depth shoe. The F-scan system was also used to compare the total contact area under the foot between each patient with and without the orthotic device. Data collected in this study ...

AIM The first aim of this study was to assess how changes in the mechanical characteristics of the foot/shoe-ground interface affect spatio-temporal variables, ground pressure distribution, sagittal plane kinematics, and running economy in 8 experienced barefoot runners. The second aim was to assess if a special lightweight shoe (Vibram Fivefingers) was effective in mimic the experience of bare...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the foot arch volume measured from static positions and the plantar pressure distribution during walking. METHODS A total of 27 children, two to six years of age, were included in this study. Measurements of static foot posture were obtained, including navicular height and foot arch volume in sitting and standing posi...

OBJECTIVE Pressure mitigation is crucial for the healing of plantar diabetic foot ulcers. We therefore discuss characteristics and considerations associated with the use of offloading devices. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A diabetic foot ulcer management survey was sent to foot clinics in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2005. A total of 901 geographically diverse centers responde...