Medial longitudinal arch variations and extrinsic foot muscle elasticity: Analysis of mobile, neutral, and rigid arch mobilities

IF 1.4 3区医学 Q4 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Clinical Biomechanics Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2025.106505

David J. Kempfert , Katy Mitchell , Wayne Brewer , Christina Bickley

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

The mobility of the medial longitudinal arch contributes to foot function by accommodating to varying loads during dynamic weight-bearing activities. Physiologically, an external load, or stress, causes deformation in response to the application of load. Elasticity measures may offer insight into how load is distributed amongst synergistic muscles of the foot. The study's objective was to compare elasticity of extrinsic foot muscles across different categories of medial longitudinal arch mobility.

Methods

In this within- and between-subjects exploratory design, shear wave elastography was used to measure elasticity of the tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneal longus, and peroneal brevis in a non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing condition. Participants (N = 109) were classified into mobile, neutral, and rigid arch categories using the Arch Height Index Measurement System.

Findings

In non-weight-bearing, a significant interaction (p = 0.049) revealed elasticity of the tibialis posterior was significantly (p = 0.003, d = 0.90) greater in the rigid arch group when compared to the mobile arch group. In weight-bearing, a significant main effect (p = ≤0.001) for elasticity revealed all muscles, except the tibialis anterior and peroneal brevis comparison, were significantly (p = ≤0.001) different from one another (d = 0.75–3.09).

Interpretation

This study presents a new approach to clinical measures of muscle elasticity using shear wave elastography. The findings offer valuable insight into the mechanical properties of extrinsic foot muscle elasticity across medial longitudinal arch mobility categories and the potential load sharing between synergistic muscles. Results showed elasticity of the tibialis posterior differed between mobile and rigid arches. This information may help inform future research in biomechanics and rehabilitation.

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来源期刊

Clinical Biomechanics 医学-工程：生物医学

CiteScore

3.30

自引率

5.60%

发文量

189

审稿时长

12.3 weeks

期刊介绍： Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field. The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management. A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly. Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians. The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time. Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.