Partitioning ground reaction forces for multi-segment foot joint kinetics.
Dustin A Bruening, Kota Z Takahashi
PMID 29544155WHAT IT FOUND
For estimating foot joint moments and powers from one force plate, adding a pressure mat gave more accurate midtarsal estimates than using center of pressure alone.
Metatarsophalangeal joint moments were less accurate.
Key findings
01At the midtarsal joint, the pressure-mat partitioning method tracked the two-plate reference more closely than the center-of-pressure method, with total sagittal angular impulse underestimated by only 1% versus 16%.
02At the metatarsophalangeal joint, the center-of-pressure method delayed the onset of extension moment, overshot the peak sagittal extension moment by 17%, and underestimated angular impulse by 31%.
03Joint power profiles from both partitioning methods were more accurate than joint moment profiles, but the center-of-pressure method overestimated total negative work at the MTP joint by 21%.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only 13 healthy pediatric participants were analysed, after 4 of 17 were excluded for foot placement accuracy. The study did not include patients with foot pathologies, adults, or other clinical populations. Controlled foot placement used to isolate segments may have slightly affected natural walking patterns. The comparison was made within the same trial types, so accuracy may not generalize to other movements, pathologies, or footwear. Errors were larger at the metatarsophalangeal joint than at the midtarsal joint, especially for center-of-pressure moment estimates. This paper reports method accuracy, not patient outcomes or treatment effects.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The paper is listed as supported by NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research funding.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that foot joint kinetics from a single force plate are accurate for patients. The study tested only 13 healthy pediatric participants using controlled foot placement, and the largest errors were at the metatarsophalangeal joint.