Lower extremity kinematic and kinetic differences in runners with high andlow arches

High- and low-arched feet have Long been thought to function differently. T he purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between arch s tructure and lower extremity mechanics in runners with extreme pes planus a nd pes caws. It was hypothesized that low-arched individuals would exhibit an increased rearfoot eversion excursion, eversion/tibial internal rotation ratio, and increased angular velocity in rearfoot eversion when compared t o high-arched runners. In addition, it was hypothesized that high-arched ru nners would exhibit greater vertical loading rates, Twenty high-arched and 20 low-arched runners with histories of running-related injuries were inclu ded in this study. Low-arched runners were found to have increased rearfoot eversion excursion, eversion to tibial internal rotation ratio, and rearfo ot eversion velocity. High-arched runners had increased vertical loading ra te when compared to low-arched runners. These results suggest that arch str ucture is associated with specific lower extremity kinematics and kinetics. Differences in these parameters may subsequently lead to differences in in jury patterns in high-arched and low-arched runners.