Open AccessForce–Deformation Properties of the Human Heel Pad during Barefoot Walking
Author(s) -
Scott Wearing,
Sue Hooper,
Philip J. Dubois,
James Smeathers,
Albrecht Dietze
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
medicine and science in sports and exercise
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1530-0315
pISSN - 0195-9131
DOI - 10.1249/mss.0000000000000281
Subject(s) - heel , barefoot , deformation (meteorology) , stiffness , calcaneus , medicine , biomechanics , sagittal plane , materials science , geology , orthodontics , anatomy , composite material , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery
The plantar heel pad is a specialized fibroadipose tissue that attenuates and, in part, dissipates the impact energy associated with heel strike. Although a near-maximal deformation of the heel pad has been shown during running, an in vivo measurement of the deformation and structural properties of the heel pad during walking remains largely unexplored. This study used a fluoroscope, synchronized with a pressure platform, to obtain force-deformation data for the heel pad during walking.