The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion

Scientific Reports
Sarah M StearneJonas Rubenson

Abstract

The energy-sparing spring theory of the foot's arch has become central to interpretations of the foot's mechanical function and evolution. Using a novel insole technique that restricted compression of the foot's longitudinal arch, this study provides the first direct evidence that arch compression/recoil during locomotion contributes to lowering energy cost. Restricting arch compression near maximally (~80%) during moderate-speed (2.7 ms(-1)) level running increased metabolic cost by + 6.0% (p < 0.001, d = 0.67; unaffected by foot strike technique). A simple model shows that the metabolic energy saved by the arch is largely explained by the passive-elastic work it supplies that would otherwise be done by active muscle. Both experimental and model data confirm that it is the end-range of arch compression that dictates the energy-saving role of the arch. Restricting arch compression had no effect on the cost of walking or incline running (3°), commensurate with the smaller role of passive-elastic mechanics in these gaits. These findings substantiate the elastic energy-saving role of the longitudinal arch during running, and suggest that arch supports used in some footwear and orthotics may increase the cost of running.

References

Nov 1, 1977·The American Journal of Physiology·G A CavagnaC R Taylor
Jun 1, 1989·Acta Physiologica Scandinavica·J Nilsson, A Thorstensson
Apr 1, 1987·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·T D White, G Suwa
Aug 1, 1988·Prosthetics and Orthotics International·S OtmanY Gökce-Kutsal
Jan 8, 1987·Nature·R F KerR M Alexander
Feb 1, 1985·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·L N BurkettR Buchbinder
Jan 1, 1980·Journal of Biomechanics·P R Cavanagh, M A Lafortune
Mar 1, 1996·Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport·D W MorganM W Craib
Dec 19, 2001·Journal of Biomechanics·J Maxwell DonelanArthur D Kuo
Aug 2, 2002·Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews·Tetsuo FukunagaHiroaki Kanehisa
Jul 2, 2003·Journal of Biomechanics·Thor F BesierDavid G Lloyd
Nov 11, 2003·Journal of Applied Physiology·P U SaundersJ A Hawley
Jun 17, 2004·Journal of Anatomy·W E H Harcourt-Smith, L C Aiello
Nov 19, 2004·Nature·Dennis M Bramble, Daniel E Lieberman
Dec 1, 1984·Applied Ergonomics·E C Frederick
Oct 8, 2005·Journal of Biomechanics·Rob W Bisseling, At L Hof
Jan 30, 2010·Nature·Daniel E LiebermanYannis Pitsiladis
Oct 30, 2010·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Jonas RubensonPaul A Fournier
Jan 6, 2012·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Daniel P PerlDaniel E Lieberman
Jan 10, 2012·Journal of Biomechanics·Eirik KristianslundAntonie J van den Bogert
Mar 31, 2012·Nature·Daniel E Lieberman
Jun 8, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Kristine L SnyderJinger S Gottschall
Aug 4, 2012·Journal of Sports Sciences·Phil Hayes, Nicholas Caplan
Sep 8, 2012·Foot & Ankle Specialist·Mohammad Taghi KarimiFatemeh Pool
Jan 21, 2014·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Kryztopher David TungRodger Kram
Jan 17, 2015·Journal of Applied Physiology·Jared R Fletcher, Brian R MacIntosh

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 17, 2017·Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports·T TanakaT Isaka
Aug 17, 2018·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Lauren WelteMichael J Rainbow
Nov 22, 2018·Journal of Applied Physiology·Luke A KellyGlen A Lichtwark
Jul 12, 2017·Frontiers in Physiology·Jared R Fletcher, Brian R MacIntosh
Nov 11, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Wannes SwinnenBenedicte Vanwanseele
Feb 27, 2020·Journal of Applied Biomechanics·Daniel J BrinkmannDominic Gehring
Feb 28, 2020·Journal of Anatomy·Freddy SichtingDaniel E Lieberman
Apr 9, 2019·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Ryan RiddickLuke A Kelly
Jul 1, 2020·Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·Eneida Yuri SudaIsabel C N Sacco
Sep 14, 2017·Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise·Luke A KellyAndrew G Cresswell
Jun 17, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Craig P McGowan, Clint E Collins
Jun 28, 2020·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Nikolaos PapachatzisKota Z Takahashi
Sep 8, 2018·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Nicholas B Holowka, Daniel E Lieberman
Apr 1, 2020·Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering·Kevin DeschampsFilip Staes
Dec 6, 2019·Scientific Reports·Rodrigo Gomes da RosaLeonardo Alexandre Peyré-Tartaruga
Sep 24, 2020·Scientific Reports·Tadashi SugaTadao Isaka
Jun 23, 2020·Applied Bionics and Biomechanics·Peimin YuFeng Ren
Jan 21, 2021·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Lauren WelteMichael J Rainbow
Nov 18, 2020·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Nicholas B HolowkaDaniel E Lieberman
Oct 11, 2019·Frontiers in Sports and Active Living·Romain TourillonFrançois Fourchet
Mar 11, 2021·International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance·Daniel CragoChristopher Bishop
Mar 25, 2019·Journal of Human Evolution·Scott W SimpsonSileshi Semaw
May 1, 2021·Scientific Reports·Hiroto ShiotaniYasuo Kawakami
May 24, 2021·Journal of Human Evolution·James P CharlesKarl T Bates
May 22, 2021·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Ross E SmithLuke A Kelly
Sep 22, 2021·Scientific Reports·Rory CurtisKristiaan D'Août
Oct 26, 2021·Frontiers in Neurorobotics·Matteo LaffranchiLorenzo De Michieli

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

MATLAB
ScanAny
Vicon BodyBuilder

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

The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
D A Winter
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
Daniel P PerlDaniel E Lieberman
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved