Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (17): 2747-2754.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3178

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Biomechanical evaluation of foot and ankle function: constructing static and dynamic indexes of the foot

Bai Xiaotian1, Huo Hongfeng1, 2   

  1. 1School of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, Hebei Province, China; 2Hebei Key Laboratory of Human Motion Information Evaluation, Shijiazhuang 050024, Hebei Province, China
  • Received:2020-05-06 Revised:2020-05-12 Accepted:2020-06-05 Online:2021-06-18 Published:2021-01-08
  • Contact: Huo Hongfeng, Master’s supervisor, School of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, Hebei Province, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Human Motion Information Evaluation, Shijiazhuang 050024, Hebei Province, China
  • About author:Bai Xiaotian, Master candidate, School of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, Hebei Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Hebei Provincial Science and Technology Support Project, No. 16275709 (to HHF); Key Research Foundation of Hebei Normal University, No. S2017Z06 (to HHF); The 13th Five-Year Standardization Project for Educational Science Research in Hebei Province, No. 1703154 (to HHF)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The abnormal foot structure affects the cushioning, power and energy storage of the foot. Studies have shown that the biomechanical evaluation methods of foot structure and foot function have certain reference value for distinguishing asymptomatic abnormal foot types.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the biomechanical indexes of the foot structure and function and to classify them.
METHODS: A search of CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Baichain Scholar, PudMed, SpringeLink, and Nature was performed using the search terms of “foot structure, foot function,” “plantar pressure, pressure center trajectory,” “foot arch, transverse arch,” “gait,” in Chinese as well as “foot function,” “center of pressure,” “flatfoot,” “arch index” in English for relevant documents published from January 1993 to May 2020. We explored the testing methods for foot structure and the biomechanical evaluation methods for foot function from static and dynamic aspects in combination with the mechanical characteristics of the foot.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For the static evaluation of foot function, the turnover index and stiffness of the ankle joint are used to evaluate the structure and function of the ankle joint; the angle between the heelpiece and the crus and the medial longitudinal arch angle are used to evaluate the heel structure and function; the arch height index and arch height adaptability are used to evaluate the function of the foot arch; toe adaptability is used to evaluate the function of the thumb under external torque; the static function of the foot is systematically evaluated in combination with the scoring system of the foot posture index. In terms of dynamic kinematics, the dynamic foot function is evaluated based on arch index, pressure center trajectory and foot turnover index.

Key words: foot, ankle, arch, foot function, plantar pressure, pressure center trajectory, biomechanics, review

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