Foot Segments Motion during Uneven Terrain Walking and Influence on Lower Limb Biomechanics

Foot Segments Motion during Uneven Terrain Walking and Influence on Lower Limb Biomechanics | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Foot Segments Motion during Uneven Terrain Walking and Influence on Lower Limb Biomechanics Anna Pace, Matteo Crotti, Gabriele Gervasi, Giorgio Grioli, Eduardo Palermo, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8712582/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Human locomotion has been extensively studied on flat ground; however, everyday walking often occurs on uneven terrain, which poses additional biomechanical challenges. The role of foot segmental mobility under these conditions remains underexplored. This study investigated how irregular surfaces influence foot kinematics and lower-limb biomechanics. Twelve able-bodied young adults performed eight barefoot tasks at self-selected speed, including level walking, obstacle crossing, walking on uneven ground, ramp, and stairs. Kinematic data were collected using the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model, and hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics were analyzed to identify compensatory strategies. Participants exhibited increased plantarflexion of the hallux and forefoot, increased dorsiflexion of the forefoot and hindfoot relative to the tibia, and a reduced range of motion of the foot segments, suggesting a stiffening strategy to enhance grip and stability. Ankle range of motion decreased, while knee and hip flexion slightly increased throughout stance. Kinetically, ankle plantarflexor torque increased during the first half of stance, whereas push-off torque and power were reduced. Concurrently, negative power absorption at the knee increased, confirming its role as a mechanical damper. Overall, these findings highlight a redistribution of joint function and the pivotal role of foot segments and ankle dynamics in enabling stable locomotion on uneven terrain. Health sciences/Anatomy Physical sciences/Engineering Health sciences/Health care Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files FootSegmentsMotionduringUnevenTerrainWalkingInfluenceonLowerLimbBiomechanicssupplmat.pdf Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 13 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 03 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 31 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 20 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 19 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 04 Mar, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 04 Mar, 2026 Editor invited by journal 20 Feb, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 02 Feb, 2026 First submitted to journal 02 Feb, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8712582","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":602134425,"identity":"fe9c5885-be70-4376-91b6-eeab334f32af","order_by":0,"name":"Anna 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The role of foot segmental mobility under these conditions remains underexplored. This study investigated how irregular surfaces influence foot kinematics and lower-limb biomechanics. Twelve able-bodied young adults performed eight barefoot tasks at self-selected speed, including level walking, obstacle crossing, walking on uneven ground, ramp, and stairs. Kinematic data were collected using the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model, and hip, knee, and ankle biomechanics were analyzed to identify compensatory strategies. Participants exhibited increased plantarflexion of the hallux and forefoot, increased dorsiflexion of the forefoot and hindfoot relative to the tibia, and a reduced range of motion of the foot segments, suggesting a stiffening strategy to enhance grip and stability. Ankle range of motion decreased, while knee and hip flexion slightly increased throughout stance. Kinetically, ankle plantarflexor torque increased during the first half of stance, whereas push-off torque and power were reduced. Concurrently, negative power absorption at the knee increased, confirming its role as a mechanical damper. 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