The Relationship between Foot Torsional Stiffness and Foot Motion Dynamics during Running

Abstract

Forefoot torsional stiffness relative to rearfoot has been suggested the effects on foot dynamics during walking. However, there is no study that examined the effects on foot dynamics during running. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between foot torsional stiffness and foot dynamics during running. 8 healthy rearfoot striker students (5 males and 3 females) were measured foot torsional stiffness. In addition, the participants’ rearfoot and forefoot kinematics during stance phase of running were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed that foot torsional stiffness was significantly positively correlated with rearfoot excursion in sagittal plane (r = 0.760; p = 0.029) and forefoot excursion in transverse plane (r = 0.709; p = 0.049) during the propulsive phase. However, foot torsional stiffness was not associated with rearfoot kinematics or loading rate during the absorption phase. These results suggest that foot torsional stiffness is not associated with absorption phase during running with rearfoot strike.