Author ORCID Identifier
Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Lisa MacFadden
Abstract
The field of biomechanics has seen continued development of models to be used and circumstances to be considered. An increasing number of more complex models for the foot known as multi-segment foot models (MSFMs) have created opportunities to better understand the compensatory motion of this vital portion of human anatomy. This research seeks to utilize one such MSFM model to increase understanding in how human ambulation changes in uneven terrain environments. Unique inner-foot joints defined by the Rizzoli foot model (RFM) were measured for and compared for subjects traversing both even and uneven terrain to quantify joints that experienced significant changes or variation with the change in environment. Further utilization of the RFM was explored in the development of protocols for defining and measuring arch angles of the foot based on the provided markerset. Arch angle measurements were quantified and compared between even and uneven terrain ambulation. To create a more comprehensive model of the foot, kinetic analysis was considered through the development of an equation capable of partitioning a ground reaction force (GRF) signal between different segments of the MSFM. This equation was used for initial comparison of partitioned GRF signals between even & uneven terrain gait.
Subject Categories
Biological Engineering | Biomechanics and Biotransport
Keywords
foot gait kinematics kinetics multi-segment uneven
Number of Pages
115
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Hoekstra, Tayler Jon, "Your Foot is not a Brick: Using a multi-segment foot model to explore the actions of the ankle-foot complex during uneven terrain gait." (2025). Dissertations and Theses. 387.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/387