Use of the Longitudinal Arch Angle to Predict Dynamic Foot Posture in Walking

by MASS4D® Prescription Orthotics October 17, 2016

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the longitudinal arch angle (LAA) between females and males as well as between the left and right foot.

The study also sought to determine whether the LAA, assessed in static standing, could be used to predict the LAA measured at midstance during walking.

In the first phase of the study, each subject stood on an elevated platform, and the midpoint of the medial malleolus, the tuberosity of the navicular bone, and the midpoint of the medial aspect of the first metatarsal head were identified by palpation and were marked on each foot.

A digital image of the medial aspect of each foot was obtained using a digital camera.

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In the second phase of the study, the medial aspect of the foot was recorded using a video camera rather than a digital camera.

The subject was asked to internally rotate the right lower leg and to place as much weight as possible on the foot to cause pronation of the right foot, without lifting the left foot off the ground.

Once a video image of the pronated position of the right foot was obtained, the procedure was repeated for the left foot.

The subjects were then instructed to practice walking barefoot at a self-selected speed along the 6-m walkway, while their walking speed was monitored.

The results of two separate t-tests to determine whether the LAA was different between males and females and between left and right feet were not significant.

The results also indicated that the static measurement of the LAA, whether obtained in relaxed standing posture or maximum internal rotation, is highly predictive of the dynamic posture of the foot that occurs at midstance during walking.

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References:

1. Thomas G. McPoil, Mark W. Cornwall (2005) Use of the Longitudinal Arch Angle to Predict Dynamic Foot Posture in Walking. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association: March/April 2005, Vol. 95, No. 2, pp. 114-120

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