Children’s rearfoot and midfoot motion while walking in school shoes

Methods Twelve children performed five walking trials at a self selected velocity while barefoot and wearing school shoes (Daytona, Clarks). A 10 camera 200Hz 3D motion analysis system (EVaRT5.0, MAC) was used to calculate marker trajectories. Force plate data were collected at 1000Hz (KistlerTM). Retro-reflective markers were attached to the right leg and to the foot/shoe at the navicular, 1 and 5 metatarsal heads and hallux. Rearfoot motion was measured with a wand marker cluster through a window in the shoe. A standing reference trial was used to embed segment axes and thence to calculate motion of the distal segment relative to the proximal segment. Data were normalised to the stance phase which was sub-divided from the anterior/posterior force data as: contact period (initial contact maximum negative force); midstance (maximum negative force zero) and propulsion (positive force toe-off).