change in muscle activity with the goal of postural instability is determined by how
the lower extremity muscles. (Nigg, et. al.), the boundary of its base of support. We
dampening soft tissue vibrations within
proposed that if the foot orthosis allows
the joints of the foot and lower extremity
to take their preferred movement pathway,
that muscle activity will be minimized and
if the orthosis counteracts the preferred
movement path, that muscle activity will
be increased thereby increasing economy of
movement and subsequently reducing the
rate of overuse injury.
Most clinicians create foot orthotic
devices based on the center of pressure
being projected along the plantar surface
of the foot. However, since the body
is always in motion, even during static
stance or standing, the center of mass
continually moves about with respect to
the base of support. Body imbalance or
fast the center of mass is moving toward
also understand that human movement is
stereotyped, which means that our central
nervous system generates movement
patterns that can be anticipated. These
stereotyped movements are stimulated by
peripheral changes in the support base such
as stepping. Therefore, most of the work is
done for us and so it is important to consider
how movement is managed once it starts.
Having a consistent surface under each step
we take is advantageous toward mechanical
efficiency, balance, postural stability and
injury mitigation, thus it is vitally important
that we utilize the appropriate footwear
and athletic equipment to stimulate the
Preferred Movement Pathway.
-END
CITATIONS
Siegelbaum, Steven A., and A. James Hudspeth.
Principles of Neural Science. Eds. Eric R. Kandel,
James H. Schwartz, and Thomas M. Jessell. Vol. 5. New
York: McGraw-hill, 2013.
Nigg, Benno M., and Walter Herzog. Biomechanics of
the Musculo-skeletal system. John Wiley & Sons,
2007.
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