Footprints in the sand. What do they tell us?

They say that sometimes the silences speak volumes. Take a look at these prints and see if you see the following:

• more pressure on the forefoot, right greater than left
• more pressure on the lateral aspects of the forefeet
• an increased progression angle on the right, compared to the left
• judging from the step length, this person either has really long legs or was running
• the heel seems to hit the ground slightly more on the right
• judging from the sole pattern, they are most likely wearing an Inov8 shoe

Or, we can comment on what WAS NOT seen:

• less pressure on the rearfoot, indicating a forefoot strike, or extremely tight posterior compartments
• less pressure on the medial aspects of the forefeet, indicating inefficient push off, since they are not able to get their weight to the medial tripod
• an more normal progression angle on the left, possibly indicating better mechanics there
• this person IS NOT a heel striker, but seems to have a greater range of dorsiflexion available to them on the right, most likely with more ankle rocker
• judging from the sole pattern, they are most likely wearing an Inov8 shoe

Just like in the movie “Swordfish”, John Traviolta’s character comments that “It’s all about perception”.

So, what can we surmise from our deductions?

• less pressure on the rearfoot, indicating a forefoot strike, or extremely tight posterior compartments

this individual may have a loss of ankle rocker

• less pressure on the medial aspects of the forefeet, indicating inefficient push off, since they are not able to get their weight to the medial tripod

we are probably looking for someone who has a fore foot varus deformity. This is often accompanied by increased tibial varum

• n more normal progression angle on the left, possibly indicating better mechanics there

the difference in progression angle may indicate this person has a torsional deformity and/or limited internal rotation of the hips

• this person IS NOT a heel striker, but seems to have a greater range of dorsiflexion available to them on the right, most likely with more ankle rocker

again, look for someone who has impaired ankle rocker, or limited (at least assymetrical) ankle dorsiflexion

Yes, even when we are on vacation, we are looking at gait, because it is everywhere and affects all forms of human life and behavior.

The Gait Guys. Walking in the sand. Looking for the subtle clues. Teaching you in each and every post