Arch index and running biomechanics in children aged 10-14 years

作者：Hollander Karsten^*; Stebbins Julie; Albertsen Inke Marie; Hamacher Daniel; Babin Kornelia; Hacke Claudia; Zech Astrid

来源：Gait & Posture, 2018, 61: 210-214.

DOI：10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.01.013

• Medial longitudinal arch
• Dynamic arch index
• Running
• Foot strike pattern

Background: While altered foot arch characteristics (high or low) are frequently assumed to influence lower limb biomechanics and are suspected to be a contributing factor for injuries, the association between arch characteristics and lower limb running biomechanics in children is unclear.
Research question: Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a dynamically measured arch index and running biomechanics in healthy children.
Methods: One hundred and one children aged 10-14 years were included in this study and underwent a bio-mechanical investigation. Plantar distribution (Novel, Emed) was used to determine the dynamic arch index and 3D motion capture (Vicon) to measure running biomechanics. Linear mixed models were established to determine the association between dynamic arch index and foot strike patterns, running kinematics, kinetics and temporal- spatial outcomes.
Results: No association was found between dynamic arch index and rate of rearfoot strikes (p = 0.072). Of all secondary outcomes, only the foot progression angle was associated with the dynamic arch index (p = 0.032) with greater external rotation in lower arched children.
Significance: Overall, we found only few associations between arch characteristics and running biomechanics in children. However, altered foot arch characteristics are of clinical interest. Future studies should focus on detailed foot biomechanics and include clinically diagnosed high and low arched children.

• 出版日期2018-3