Journal
HUMAN MOVEMENT SCIENCE
Volume 70, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2020.102594
Keywords
Metatarsophalangeal joint; Toe joint; Ankle joint; Foot length; Push-off; Foot prosthesis
Funding
- National Science Foundation [CBET - 1605200]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Toe joint articulation has been shown to affect gait mechanics, as evidenced by walking simulations, biped robots, and foot prostheses. However, it is not known how parameters such as toe length, foot arch length (i.e., heel-to-toe-joint length) or toe joint axis angle affect human walking. We utilized a previously developed adjustable ankle-toe prosthesis to systematically examine these three foot parameters. We tested ten able-bodied persons walking on a force instrumented-treadmill while wearing a pair of adjustable prostheses attached bilaterally below simulator boots (which fixated their biological ankles). We collected motion and ground reaction force data to compute lower-limb kinematics and kinetics as well as COM power and work. We observed that increasing the foot arch length by 60 mm (35%) increased COM Push-off work by similar to 5 J, due to increased energy storage and return by the ankle spring. Increasing the toe length by 40 mm (80%) and changing the toe joint axis by +/- 9 degrees from a neutral angle resulted in negligible effects on COM mechanics and lower limb kinetics. This study provides further insights regarding toe joint function; knowledge which may benefit the design/integration of toe joints into prostheses, exoskeletons and legged robots.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available