Title: A simple and effective biomechanical model of the foot

Authors: Lucia Martino; Cesar González; Marcel Rupcich; Miguel Cerrolaza

Addresses: School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Carabobo, Valencia, Venezuela; National Institute of Bioengineering, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela ' National Institute of Bioengineering, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; Clinic Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela ' National Institute of Bioengineering, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela ' National Institute of Bioengineering, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela; International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Catalonia, Spain

Abstract: A simplified and effective biomechanical model of the foot is proposed in this work. The geometry of the foot is divided into two segments, the hindfoot and forefoot. The results are very promising, based on graphic representation of the kinematic parameters during gait motion. The protocol was implemented in a classic gait lab and does not affect the standard procedure, despite the additional kinematic parameters included. This model will provide additional information for clinical diagnosis within lower extremities pathologies.

Keywords: multi-segment; foot models; simplified modelling; foot biomechanics; biomechanical models; foot geometry; gait motion; kinematics; clinical diagnosis; lower extremity pathologies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBET.2015.073424

International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, 2015 Vol.19 No.4, pp.335 - 354

Received: 11 Apr 2015
Accepted: 04 Jun 2015
Published online: 02 Dec 2015 *

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