A Coupling Analysis of the Biomechanical Functions of Human Foot Complex During Locomotion

Journal of Bionic Engineering 7 Suppl. (2010) S150–S157

A Coupling Analysis of the Biomechanical Functions of Human Foot Complex during Locomotion
Zhihui Qian1, Lei Ren2, Luquan Ren1
1. Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130022, P. R. China 2. School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK

Abstract
This study represents a functional analysis of the human foot complex based on in-vivo gait measurements, finite element (FE) modeling and biological coupling theory, with the objective of achieving a comprehensive understanding of the impact attenuation and energy absorption functions of the human foot complex. A simplified heel pad FE model comprising reticular fiber structure and fat cells was constructed based on the foot pad Magnetic Resonance (MR) images. The model was then used to investigate the foot pad behaviors under impact during locomotion. Three-dimensional (3D) gait measurement and a 3D FE foot model comprising 29 bones, 85 ligaments and the plantar soft tissues were used to investigate the foot arch and plantar fascia deformations in mid-stance phase. The heel pad simulation results show that the pad model with fat cells (coupling model) has much stronger capacity in impact attenuation and energy storage than the model without fat cells (structure model). Furthermore, the FE simulation reproduced the deformations of the foot arch structure and the plantar fascia extension observed in the gait measurements, which reinforces the postulation that the foot arch structure also plays an important role in energy absorption during locomotion. Finally, the coupling mechanism of the human foot functions in impact attenuation and energy absorption was proposed. Keywords: biomechancis, human foot, locomotion, finite element model, bionic engineering, biological coupling
Copyright © 2010, Jilin University. Published by Elsevier Limited and Science Press. All rights

References: [1] [2] Hicks J H. The mechanics of the foot I. The joints. Journal of Anatomy, 1953, 87, 345–357. Hicks J H. The mechanics of the foot II. The plantar aponeurosis and the arch. Journal of Anatomy, 1954, 88, 25–30. [3] Ren L, Howard D, Ren L Q, Nester C J, Tian L M. A phase-dependant hypothesis for locomotor functions of human foot complex. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2008, 5, 175–180. [4] Carrier D R, Heglund N C, Earls K D. Variable gearing during locomotion in the human musculoskeletal system. Science, 1994, 265, 651–653. [5] Erdemir A, Piazza S J. Rotational foot placement specifies the lever arm of ground reaction force during the push-off phase of walking initiation. Gait and Posture, 2002, 15, 212–219. [6] Dickinson J A, Cook S D, Leinhardt T M. The measurement of shock waves following heel strike while running. Journal of Biomechanics, 1985, 18, 415–422. [7] Ker R F, Bennett M B, Bibby S R, Kester R C, Alexander R M. The spring in the arch of the human foot. Nature, 1987, 325, 147–149. [8] Scott S H, Winter D A. Biomechanical model of the human foot: Kinematics and kinetics during the stance phase of walking. Journal of Biomechanics, 1993, 26, 1091–1104. [9] Ren L, Howard D, Ren L Q, Nester C J , Tian L M. A generic analytical foot rollover model for predicting translational ankle kinematics in gait simulation studies. Journal of Qian et al.: A Coupling Analysis of the Biomechanical Functions of Human Foot Complex during Locomotion Biomechanics, 2010, 4, 194–202. [10] Aerts P, Ker R F, De Clercq D, Ilsley D W, Alexander R M. The mechanical properties of the human heel pad: A paradox resolved. Journal of Biomechanics, 1998, 28, 1299–1308. [11] De Clercq D, Aerts P, Kunnen M. The mechanical characteristics of the human heel pad during foot strike in running: An in vivo cineradiographic study. Journal of Biomechanics, 1994, 27, 1213–1222. [12] Pain M T G, Challis J H. The role of the heel pad and shank soft tissue during impacts: A further resolution of the paradox. Journal of Biomechanics, 2001, 34, 327–333. [13] Robbins S E, Gouw G J, Hama A M. Running-related injury prevention through innate impact-moderating behavior. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1989, 21, 130–139. [14] Ker R. The time-dependent mechanical properties of the human heel pad in the context of locomotion. Journal of Experimental Biology, 1996, 199, 1501–1508. [15] Miller-Young J E, Duncan NA, Baroud G. Material properties of the human calcaneal fat pad in compression: Experiment and theory. Journal of Biomechanics, 2002, 35, 1523–1531. [16] Cavanagh P R. Plantar soft tissue thickness during ground contact in walking. Journal of Biomechanics, 1999, 32, 623–628. [17] Alexander R M. Elastic energy stores in running vertebrates. American Zoologist, 1984, 24, 85–94. [18] Alexander R M, Bennet-Clark H C. Storage of elastic strain energy in muscle and other tissues. Nature, 1977, 265, 114–117. [19] Ren L Q, Liang Y H. Biological couplings: Function, characteristics and implementation mode. Science in China Series E: Technological Science, 2010, 53, 379–387. [20] Ren L Q, Liang Y H. Biological couplings: Classification S157 and characteristic rules. Science in China Series E: Technological Science, 2009, 52, 2791–2800. [21] Barthlott W, Neinhuis C. Purity of the sacred lotus or escape from contamination in biological surfaces. Planta, 1997, 202, 1–8. [22] Barthlott W, Neinhuis C, Boil D. The lotus-effect: Non-adhesive biological and biomimetic technical surfaces. Proceeding of the 1st International Industrial Conference BIONIK 2004, Hannover, Germany, 2004, 211–214. [23] Qian Z H, Hong Y, Xu C Y, Ren L Q. A biological coupling extension model and coupling element identification. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2009, 6, 186–195. [24] Zhang Y, Zhou C H, Ren L Q. Biology coupling characteristics on soil-engaging components of mole crickets. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2008, 5, 164–171. [25] Rome K. Mechanical properties of the heel pad: Current theory and review of the literature. The Foot, 1998, 8, 179–185. [26] Jahss M H, Kummer F, Michelson J D. Investigations into the fat pads of the sole of the foot: Heel pressure studies. Foot & Ankle, 1992, 13, 227–232. [27] Chen W P, Tang F T, Ju C W. Stress distribution of the foot during mid-stance to push-off in barefoot gait: A 3-D finite element analysis. Clinical Biomechanics, 2001, 16, 614–620. [28] Cheung J T, Zhang M, Leung A K, Fan Y B. Three-dimensional finite element analysis of the foot during standing a material sensitivity study. Journal of Biomechanics, 2005, 38, 1045–1054. [29] Qian Z H, Ren L, Ren L Q, Boonpratatong A. A three-dimensional finite element musculoskeletal model of the human foot complex. The 6th World Congress of Biomechanics, Singapore, 2010, 297–300.