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Lower limb and Footwear Biomechanics

Foot and Ankle

Research on the foot and ankle is critical for improving our understanding of lower extremity biomechanics, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Key areas of focus include studying the complex anatomy and mechanics of foot and ankle joints, muscles, and soft tissues. Our research investigates how forces are transmitted through the foot during gait and other activities using state-of-the-art motion capture, force plates, EMG, ultrasound and other technologies.  

Our interdisciplinary research team works at the intersection of engineering and health to develop assistive devices for foot and ankle conditions. Despite clinician-reported benefits of foot orthoses, there was limited scientific understanding of their biomechanical effects. We have applied engineering approaches to examine how devices impact outcomes. Our research integrates design, materials science, and mechanics to study orthoses’ biomechanical effects and response to external factors. We addressed the lack of knowledge on biomechanical effects of these devices. By combining engineering and clinical practice, we established the impact of simple insoles on 3D foot kinematics during walking for the first time. Further research on factors like casting, practitioner variability, device type, and midsole composition highlighted differing patient benefits from custom orthoses due to variations in practitioner knowledge and methods. 

The current studies at the CBRT explore risk factors for common foot and ankle injuries and evaluate interventions like orthotics and exercise therapies. Whilst some of our work focuses on the effects of footwear and orthotic interventions, we continue to conduct some pivotal studies on ankle foot orthoses.  

Current Projects

Soft Tissue Assessment using Shear wave Elastography

The Achilles tendon is commonly injured during sport and other physical activities. Mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy in particular can affect anyone, especially

Podiatric National Data Repository

Over 20 years ago, the Royal College of Podiatry assisted in creating a data repository called PASCOM-10 to help clinicians document and report podiatric care data.

Exercise and Footwear intervention to improve balance

Our overall work on falls prevention includes novel balance assessment methods to identify deficits, and developing approaches

Previous Projects

School Shoes

Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and parents have concerns about children's footwear, but there is limited research on this topic. Ill-fitting shoes have been linked to foot problems in children, while comfortable...
CBRT

Footwear Choice

The comfort of a shoe can vary based on factors like material, fit, alignment, and style. A comfortable and well-fitting shoe is typically characterized by support from the upper, good foot-bed contact, and overall stability.

Heelless Running

Athletes whilst running generally land their foot, not with the heel, but on the ball of the foot or in between the heel and the forefoot. On the other hand, people who jog tend to strike their heels on the ground.

Some of our key papers

The effect of simple insoles on three-dimensional foot motion during normal walking.

Branthwaite HR, Payton CJ, Chockalingam N. Clinical Biomechanics. 2004 Nov 1;19(9):972-7.

Effects of foot orthoses: how important is the practitioner?

Chevalier TL, Chockalingam N. Gait & posture. 2012 Mar 1;35(3):383-8.

CBRT Staffordshire University