Foot stiffening during the push-off phase of human walking is linked to active muscle contraction, and not the windlass mechanism.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
Dominic James FarrisLuke A Kelly

Abstract

The rigidity of the human foot is often described as a feature of our evolution for upright walking and is bolstered by a thick plantar aponeurosis that connects the heel to the toes. Previous descriptions of human foot function consider stretch of the plantar aponeurosis via toe extension (windlass mechanism) to stiffen the foot as it is levered against the ground for push-off during walking. In this study, we applied controlled loading to human feet in vivo, and studied foot function during the push-off phase of walking, with the aim of carefully testing how the foot is tensioned during contact with the ground. Both experimental paradigms revealed that plantar aponeurosis strain via the 'windlass mechanism' could not explain the tensioning and stiffening of the foot that is observed with increased foot-ground contact forces and push-off effort. Instead, electromyographic recordings suggested that active contractions of ankle plantar flexors provide the source of tension in the plantar aponeurosis. Furthermore, plantar intrinsic foot muscles were also contributing to the developed tension along the plantar aspect of the foot. We conclude that active muscular contraction, not the passive windlass mechanism, is the foot's primar...Continue Reading

References

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Jan 1, 2015·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Luke A KellyAndrew G Cresswell
Jun 17, 2016·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Luke A KellyAndrew Cresswell
Sep 14, 2017·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Luke A KellyAndrew G Cresswell
Jul 14, 2018·Scientific Reports·Luke A KellyDominic J Farris
Aug 17, 2018·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Lauren WelteMichael J Rainbow
Sep 8, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Nicholas B Holowka, Daniel E Lieberman
Nov 22, 2018·Journal of Applied Physiology·Luke A KellyGlen A Lichtwark
Jan 19, 2019·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Dominic James FarrisGlen A Lichtwark
Apr 9, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Ryan RiddickLuke A Kelly

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Citations

Sep 19, 2020·Scientific Reports·Freddy SichtingDaniel E Lieberman
Jan 21, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Lauren WelteMichael J Rainbow
Jan 12, 2021·Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System : JPNS·Guido FelicettiMarco Schieppati
May 24, 2021·Journal of Human Evolution·James P CharlesKarl T Bates
May 21, 2021·Journal of Biomechanics·Rebecca L KrupenevichJason R Franz
Sep 22, 2021·Scientific Reports·Rory CurtisKristiaan D'Août

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