Analysis of human locomotion by recording sole-floor reaction forces from anatomically discrete points

Sole-floor reaction forces were recorded from five anatomically discrete points to analyze characteristics of human locomotion. Strain gauge of 14 mm diameter were firmly attached to the sole of bare-foot for recording force changes from the following five points: (1) medial process of calcaneus, (2) head of 1st metatarsal, (3) head of 3rd metatarsal, (4) head of 5th metatarsal and (5) great toe. Fifteen healthy adults were asked to walk at 2, 4, 6 and 8 km/h and to run at 8 km/h on the treadmill. Sole-floor reaction forces from 1st to 5th metatarsals show reciprocal changes during stance phase, while force from 1st metatarsal is strong 5th metatarsal shows weak reaction and vice versa. This phenomenon may be an expression of locomotor program to maintain vertical stability of the body during stance phase. There was a linear relation between walking speeds and sum of force from the five points, although sum of forces from three metatarsals did not change significantly during the walking speeds, indicating mainly calcaneus and great toe contribute to increasing walking speed. During running the sum of force from the three metatarsals increased sharply, joining the other two points to increase thrust.