Investigation of marker placement schemes for determining rearfoot motion
Abstract
Twelve female recreational runners (mean age = 24.5 yrs.)
volunteered as Ss to determine whether there were
differences in the measurement of rearfoot motion when using
three different marker placement schemes during conditions
of slow and fast running. Measurement of rearfoot motion
consisted of touchdown angle (TA), maximum pronation angle
(MPA), and time to maximum pronation (TMP). Ss were filmed
running on a treadmill operating at speeds of 3.58 and 2.44
m/s at a 0% grade. The film was transferred to videotape
and the ARIEL (APAS) system was used to create a 2-
dimensional image of each S while running. A 2-way ANOVA
with repeated measures (p < .05) was used to test the
hypothesis. Results of the TA indicated significant
differences between Schemes 1 and 2 and Schemes 2 and 3 for
both slow and fast running conditions. Results of the MPA
indicated significant differences between Schemes 1 and 2
and Schemes 2 and 3 for the slow running condition, and
between Schemes 2 and 3 for the fast running condition. It
appeared that markers placed on the Achilles tendon and the
gastrocnemius muscle changed the mechanical axis of the
lower leg and significantly influenced the measurement of
rearfoot motion. Markers placed exclusively on soft tissue
as in Scheme 1 appeared to move equally with similar
rearfoot motion measurements as when markers placed on bony
landmarks were used.
Subject
Running injuries - Prevention
Running shoes - Design
Biomechanics
Kinematics