Article

Pathologies of foot and ankle structures affect the kinematics at the site of the
impaired structure but also influence kinematics elsewhere in the foot and ankle.
An understanding of kinematic coupling relationships in the foot could provide
insight into mechanisms that explain differences in foot and ankle kinematics
between healthy and pathological subjects. The aim of this study was to explore
foot and ankle kinematic coupling relationships between adjacent and non-adjacent
segments of healthy subjects and evaluate individual variability of and effect of
walking speed on these relationships. Gait of 14 subjects was recorded at
comfortable and two slower walking speeds to assess individual foot kinematics
during stance phase. A qualitative evaluation of the coupling relationships was
made using angle-angle plots to determine their consistency, i.e. changes in
movement direction of each segment occurred at the same time and the plot
returned along the same line after the turning point. The Pearson correlation
coefficient of determination (R(2)) was used to provide a quantitative evaluation
of coupling. Individual variability was assessed with the coefficient of
variation (CV). The Friedman-test was used to test the effect of walking speed.
Consistent coupling relationships were observed between hindfoot in/eversion and
hallux plantar/dorsiflexion (R(2) 0.7, CV 0.2), between hindfoot in/eversion and
forefoot ab/adduction (R(2) 0.5, CV 0.3) and between leg rotation and midfoot
collapse/elevation (R(2) 0.5, CV 0.4). Less or non-consistent coupling
relationships were observed between the other studied segments. Walking speed
significantly influenced coupling relationships between hindfoot and midfoot.
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Langue : ANGLAIS