Basic biomechanics Loftus Foot Care Clinic（基本的生物力学Loftus脚保健诊所）.pdf

Basic Biomechanics Biomechanics is the study of the body in motion. Foot biomechanics studies the relationship of the foot to the lower leg. During walking and running the musculoskeletal system generates forces to propel the body forward. The foot serves two main functions. It acts as a mobile adaptor to adjust to varying terrain, and as a rigid lever for forward propulsion in locomotion. The two functions are time specific in that when the foot spends too much time being a mobile adaptor it is not spending enough time being a rigid lever and vice versa. Biomechanics of the foot analyzes how the various structures of the foot, work together to perform specific functions (timing being of utmost importance.) Excessive or prolonged motion or lack of motion will cause various deformities and pathologies discussed in the next section. Proper biomechanics allow human beings to walk, run, jump, and move freely without pain or dysfunction. The following are important terms used frequently in the study of the biomechanics of the foot: 1. Gait cycle (see Figure 2.5) - a complete gait cycle is from heel strike (when the heel comes in contact with the ground), to the next heel strike of the same foot. The gait cycle consists of two sub- phases; the stance phase and the swing phase. 2. Stance phase (see Figure 2.6) - the portion of the gait cycle when the foot is in contact with the ground (weight bearing). 3. Swing phase - the portion of the gait cycle when the foot is in the air (non-weight bearing). 4. Subtalar joint - neutral position - the position of the subtalar joint in which the foot is neither pronated nor supinated. When the hindfoot is neutral, the bisector of the calcaneus is at 90° to the supportin