Experimentally generated footprints in sand: Analysis and consequences for the interpretation of fossil and forensic footprints

American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Kristiaan D'AoûtP Aerts

Abstract

Fossilized footprints contain information about the dynamics of gait, but their interpretation is difficult, as they are the combined result of foot anatomy, gait dynamics, and substrate properties. We explore how footprints are generated in modern humans. Sixteen healthy subjects walked on a solid surface and in a layer of fine-grained sand. In each condition, 3D kinematics of the leg and foot were analyzed for three trials at preferred speed, using an infrared camera system. Additionally, calibrated plantar pressures were recorded. After each trial in sand, the depth of the imprint was measured under specific sites. When walking in sand, subjects showed greater toe clearance during swing and a 7 degrees higher knee yield during stance. Maximal pressure was the most influential factor for footprint depth under the heel. For other foot zones, a combination of factors correlates with imprint depth, with pressure impulse (the pressure-time integral) gaining importance distally, at the metatarsal heads and the hallux. We conclude that footprint topology cannot be related to a single variable, but that different zones of the footprint reflect different aspects of the kinesiology of walking. Therefore, an integrated approach, combin...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1992·European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology·P ZamparoG Ferretti
Jan 1, 1987·Journal of Biomechanics·P R Cavanagh, M M Rodgers
Mar 1, 1983·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·J T Stern, R L Susman
Jan 1, 1994·Foot & Ankle International·E M HennigD Rosenbaum
Mar 1, 1997·Journal of Biomechanics·P R CavanaghS E Pammer
May 2, 2002·Gait & Posture·Mohsen Razeghi, Mark Edward Batt
Aug 31, 2002·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·R McNeill Alexander
Mar 11, 2003·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Evie VereeckePeter Aerts
Mar 14, 2003·Nature·Paolo MiettoGiuseppe Rolandi
Apr 12, 2003·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Abdi OzaslanSermet Koç
Jun 6, 2003·Physical Review Letters·J S UeharaD J Durian
Aug 5, 2003·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Karen A Ober
Jan 20, 2005·Journal of Human Evolution·Tanya Suzanne Carey, Robin Huw Crompton
Dec 14, 2005·Journal of Human Evolution·Steve WebbRichard Robins
Feb 18, 2006·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Karen Steudel-Numbers, Timothy D Weaver
Mar 16, 2006·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Giuseppe MastrolorenzoMichael F Sheridan
Jul 10, 2007·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Steven B HeymsfieldAngelo Pietrobelli
Sep 7, 2007·Journal of Human Evolution·David A RaichlenMichael D Sockol
Mar 3, 2009·Science·Robin Huw Crompton, Todd C Pataky

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jun 4, 2013·Journal of Human Evolution·Kevin G HatalaBrian G Richmond
Jun 13, 2015·Royal Society Open Science·Peter L FalkinghamMartin Bäker
Aug 5, 2016·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Kevin G HatalaBrian G Richmond
Dec 24, 2018·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Jeremy DeSilvaBernhard Zipfel
Feb 11, 2014·Nature Communications·Kirstin S Brink, Robert R Reisz
Mar 22, 2013·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·K T BatesR H Crompton

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering : a Publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Vineet VashistaSunil K Agrawal
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved