Dual Transverse Arch Foot Orthosis Improves Gait Biomechanics in Females with Flexible Flatfoot

(1) Background: Flexible flatfoot is characterized by medial arch collapse, leading to musculoskeletal impairments. We examined the effects of single-arch foot orthosis (SFO) and dual-arch foot orthosis (DFO) on arch height, kinematics, and kinetics in young females during walking and jogging. (2) Methods: Healthy females (n = 19) with flexible flatfoot were tested under three conditions: regular shoes, SFO, and DFO. Motion capture and a 3D force plate gathered biomechanical data. We also used a high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) to assess dynamic foot morphology. Outcomes included normalized truncated navicular height, medial arch angle, angles and moments at the metatarsophalangeal, subtalar, ankle, knee, and hip joints. (3) Results: Both types of orthoses improved the normalized navicular height and reduced the medial arch angle, with DFO vs. SFO showing greater effects (<i>p</i> < 0.001). DFO vs. SFO was also more effective in limiting the range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint and dorsiflexion (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, DFO reduced the ankle range of motion and the maximum knee flexion during walking. Both orthoses reduced subtalar plantarflexion moments during stance (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and modulated ankle plantarflexion moments throughout different phases of gait. DFO uniquely enhanced metatarsophalangeal plantarflexion moments during jogging (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Dual vs. single transverse arch foot orthosis is more effective in improving gait biomechanics in females with flexible flatfoot. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

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Publication Details

Journal
Bioengineering
Published
2025-04-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12040418
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.35
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article

Dual Transverse Arch Foot Orthosis Improves Gait Biomechanics in Females with Flexible Flatfoot

Qiaolin Zhang, Qian Liu, Yaodong Gu, Tibor Hortobágyi et al.
2 citations
Bioengineering
Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
1.35
article

Dual Transverse Arch Foot Orthosis Improves Gait Biomechanics in Females with Flexible Flatfoot

Qiaolin Zhang, Qian Liu, Yaodong Gu, Tibor Hortobágyi, Janoš Šimon, Linjie Zhang, Xinyan Jiang
article en
2 citations

Abstract

(1) Background: Flexible flatfoot is characterized by medial arch collapse, leading to musculoskeletal impairments. We examined the effects of single-arch foot orthosis (SFO) and dual-arch foot orthosis (DFO) on arch height, kinematics, and kinetics in young females during walking and jogging. (2) Methods: Healthy females (n = 19) with flexible flatfoot were tested under three conditions: regular shoes, SFO, and DFO. Motion capture and a 3D force plate gathered biomechanical data. We also used a high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS) to assess dynamic foot morphology. Outcomes included normalized truncated navicular height, medial arch angle, angles and moments at the metatarsophalangeal, subtalar, ankle, knee, and hip joints. (3) Results: Both types of orthoses improved the normalized navicular height and reduced the medial arch angle, with DFO vs. SFO showing greater effects (<i>p</i> < 0.001). DFO vs. SFO was also more effective in limiting the range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal joint and dorsiflexion (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Additionally, DFO reduced the ankle range of motion and the maximum knee flexion during walking. Both orthoses reduced subtalar plantarflexion moments during stance (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and modulated ankle plantarflexion moments throughout different phases of gait. DFO uniquely enhanced metatarsophalangeal plantarflexion moments during jogging (<i>p</i> < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: Dual vs. single transverse arch foot orthosis is more effective in improving gait biomechanics in females with flexible flatfoot. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

BioengineeringVol. 12(4)
Obuda University (HU), Ningbo University (CN), University Medical Center Groningen (NL), University of Groningen (NL), University of Szeged (HU), Ningbo No. 2 Hospital (CN), Hungarian School Sport Federation (HU), University of Pecs (HU)
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies
1.35
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