A phase division-based multi-segment foot model for estimating dynamic foot arch stiffness during walking.

ABSTRACT: The arch of the human foot plays a significant role in bearing weight and keeping gait balance. Previous studies mainly focus on the foot arch stiffness at the static or quasi-dynamic state of a particular foot shape. The variation of the linear arch stiffness across the entire walking gait has rarely been reported. This work presents a phase division-based multi-segment foot model that considers plantar aponeurosis's tension force for calculating the dynamics of the medial longitudinal arch. Kinematics and ground reaction forces of 10 healthy young adults during walking are recorded and analyzed. The stiffness changes of the foot arch throughout the stance phase are calculated. The experimental results show that the foot arch experiences a stiff-compliant-stiff-compliant transition during

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12017521 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature