Influence of Shod and Barefoot Running on the In Vivo Kinematics of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Faning Zhang; Dongqiang Ye; Xini Zhang; Xiaole Sun; Shen Zhang; Shaobai Wang; Weijie Fu

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.892760

Influence of Shod and Barefoot Running on the In Vivo Kinematics of the First Metatarsophalangeal Joint

Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2022 May 16:10:892760. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.892760. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Faning Zhang¹, Dongqiang Ye¹, Xini Zhang¹, Xiaole Sun¹, Shen Zhang^{1

2}, Shaobai Wang^{1

3}, Weijie Fu^{1

3

4}

Affiliations

¹ School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
² School of Physical Education and Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.

Abstract

The biomechanics of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) is affected by different shoe conditions. In the biomechanical research field, traditional skin marker motion capture cannot easily acquire the in vivo joint kinematics of the first MTPJ in shoes. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the differences of the first MTPJ's six-degree-of-freedom (6DOF) kinematics between shod and barefoot running by using a high-speed dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS). In total, 15 healthy male runners were recruited. Computed tomography scans were taken from each participant's right foot for the construction of 3D models and local coordinate systems. Radiographic images were acquired at 100 Hz while the participants ran at a speed of 3 m/s ± 5% in shod and barefoot conditions along an elevated runway, and 6DOF kinematics of the first MTPJ were calculated by 3D-2D registration. Paired sample t-tests were used to compare the kinematic characteristics of the first MTPJ 6DOF kinematics during the stance phase between shod and barefoot conditions. Compared with barefoot, wearing shoes showed significant changes (p < 0.05): 1) the first MTPJ moved less inferior at 50% but moved less superior at 90 and 100% of the stance phase; 2) the peak medial, posterior, and superior translation of the first MTPJ significantly decreased in the shod condition; 3) the extension angle of the first MTPJ was larger at 30-60% but smaller at 90 and 100% of the stance phase; 4) the maximum extension angle and flexion/extension range of motion of the first MTPJ were reduced; and 5) the minimum extension and adduction angle of the first MTPJ was increased in the shod condition. On the basis of the high-speed DFIS, the aforementioned results indicated that wearing shoes limited the first MTPJ flexion and extension movement and increased the adduction angle, suggesting that shoes may affect the propulsion of the first MTPJ and increase the risk of hallux valgus.

Keywords: barefoot; dual fluoroscopic imaging system; first metatarsophalangeal joint; in vivo kinematics; shod.