The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion
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 arc...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2016
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55292 |
| _version_ | 1848759583604998144 |
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| author | Stearne, Sarah McDonald, K. Alderson, J. North, I. Oxnard, C. Rubenson, J. |
| author_facet | Stearne, Sarah McDonald, K. Alderson, J. North, I. Oxnard, C. Rubenson, J. |
| author_sort | Stearne, Sarah |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:02:12Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-55292 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T10:02:12Z |
| publishDate | 2016 |
| publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-552922017-09-13T16:11:01Z The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion Stearne, Sarah McDonald, K. Alderson, J. North, I. Oxnard, C. Rubenson, J. 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. 2016 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55292 10.1038/srep19403 Nature Publishing Group unknown |
| spellingShingle | Stearne, Sarah McDonald, K. Alderson, J. North, I. Oxnard, C. Rubenson, J. The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title | The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title_full | The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title_fullStr | The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title_short | The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion |
| title_sort | foot's arch and the energetics of human locomotion |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/55292 |