Effect of Fatigue on Spatiotemporal and Moment Variables during Walking in Flatfeet

Flat foot is associated with changes in the bone alignment and muscle activity. Yet, there is scarcity of information about kinetic and kinematic aspects of gait after exhaustion in flat foot people. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of exhaustion on temporal variables and kinetics of ankle foot during gait in flat foot people and control group.

A total of 10 flatfoot students at Bu Ali Sina University (Mean age, height, and weight, respectively: 24.4±2.16, 177.2±4.31, and 81.9±17.4) and 10 normal students with matched age, height, and weight participated in the study. A Vicon motion analysis system (100 Hz) with four cameras and as well as two Kistler force plates (1000 Hz) were used to measure the temporal variables and kinetics during the gait. For statistical analysis, independent student-t test, and repeated measure were used. The type one error was set at α

The inventory ankle moment of flat foot group was 0.16 N.m/BW and greater compared with that in control group. After fatigue protocol, walking speed (p=0.04), stride length (0.62 N.m/BW), and ankle plantar flexor moment of flat foot group (p=0.00) increased as compared with those of control group.

Plantar Flexor moment was lower in flat foot, compared with normal group. Maybe, weakness and malfunction of the plantar flexor muscles led to lower ankle plantar flexor. Higher inventor moment of the ankle joint may increase the pressure on the medial side of the foot during endurance activity. Fatigue change ankle Plantar Flexor moment and spatiotemporal gait variables, thus strengthening these muscles is recommended.