Foot internal stress distribution during impact in barefoot running as function of the strike pattern

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to examine the impact absorption mechanism of the foot for different strike patterns (rearfoot, midfoot and forefoot) using a continuum mechanics approach. A three-dimensional finite element model of the foot was employed to estimate the stress distribution in the foot at the moment of impact during barefoot running. The effects of stress attenuating factors such as the landing angle and the surface stiffness were also analyzed. We characterized rear and forefoot plantar sole behavior in an experimental test, which allowed for refined modeling of plantar pressures for the different strike patterns. Modeling results on the internal stress distributions allow predictions of the susceptibility to injury for particular anatomical structures in the foot.

Keywords:

• Foot biomechanics
• Barefoot running
• Running-related-injuries
• Plantar sole mechanical properties
• Strike pattern

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the project DPI2013-44987-R funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and competitiveness and the Brazilian funding agency CAPES.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.