FOOT ORIENTATION AND LOWER-LIMB KINEMATICS DURING RUNNING

The purpose of this study was to determine the possible mechanisms exp laining the interindividual differences in foot orientations observed during running. Foot orientations, foot pressures, and ankle dorsiflex ion and plantar-flexion were simultaneously recorded on 12 male subjec ts running barefooted at 3.9 +/- 0.6 m . sec(-1). The abduction of the forefoot was significantly related to the ankle dorsiflexion and plan tarflexion velocities (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Because i t was not possible, from pressure measurements, to determine differenc es in foot lever arm of runners, it is suggested that the interindivid ual variability of foot kinematics could not be explained by Bojsen-Mo ller's model, but could reflect differences in the lower limb stiffnes s control.