1. Static Foot Structure May Predict Midfoot Mechanics
Mark Olsen, BS
Dustin Bruening, PhD
A. Wayne Johnson, PhD, PT
Sarah Ridge, PhD
Presented at iFAB 2018

2. Purpose
Clinical interventions for foot injury prevention are often prescribed based on static measures of foot structure. However, this convention merits further investigation as the static- dynamic relationship has only been explored in walking and running.
The primary aim of this study was to explore the relationship between static foot structure and dynamic midfoot kinematics and kinetics during a barefoot single-leg landing.

3. Methods
48 females (age=20.4±1.8 yr, height=1.6±0.06 m, weight=57.3±5.5 kg)
Arch Height Index Measurement System (AHIMS)
14-camera motion capture system (Vicon) / Two in-ground force platforms (AMTI)
Subjects hung from wooden rings and performed barefoot single-leg drop landings from a height of 0.4m

4. Methods Multi-segment foot model by Bruening et al.
Accounting for all tarsal movement not just midtarsal joint
PCCs were calculated for static and dynamic variables using paired t- tests in SAS
Bruening D, et al. Gait Posture Oct; 35(4):529–34.

5. Results
Standing AHI was correlated negatively with sagittal plane midtarsal ROM (r= , p=0.0264) and positively with midtarsal work (r= , p=0.0212).
Static MA was correlated positively with sagittal plane midtarsal ROM (r= , p=0.0005) and negatively with midtarsal work (r= , p=0.0250).
Table 1 Raw data for static and dynamic variables
Standing AHI
Static MA (deg)
Midtarsal ROM (deg)
Midtarsal Work
(J·kg-1)
Mean ± SD
0.324 ± 0.019
± 5.229
± 6.916
± 0.131

6. Discussion
The strong inverse correlation between the standing AHI and static MA suggests that either method is appropriate for characterizing static foot structure in clinical and research settings
Static foot structure was able to predict 31-48% of variation associated with dynamic midfoot function during a landing task
Other structures must be influencing the dynamic control of the midtarsal joint as noted by the lack of strong association
A higher impact dynamic task, such as a drop landing, may required to properly observe a static-dynamic relationship

7. Conclusion
Midfoot function may be predictable without having to administer dynamic testing accompanied by complex collection processes and analyses.
Static foot structure may be a valuable clinical tool in assessing midfoot function relating to injury risk in athletes, who participate in high-impact loading activities, as well as in pathological populations.