Body Movement Analysis Paper

It’s at the foot that the human body makes contact with the ground. From the foot up, compensatory actions are taken to balance the body and keep the human moving forward. These actions can result in disorders that may affect much more than just the foot. Ankles, knees, hips, and all the bones in between, are each immediately affected when a foot strikes the ground. That is why analyzing gait, arch, and posture are all important in keeping the body healthy and in optimal function. With data collected from analysis of how a person walks, runs, and moves their body, a response can be made to help the individual. Through analysis of my own gait, arch, and posture, I have created a fitting shoe for myself. Simple and small movements made by the body in actions like walking and running can affect multiple parts. Through my own analysis of my walking and running I understand what I am doing and the methods to correct this. The walk is a movement on the sagittal plane or mediolateral axis. The proximal end of the foot strikes the ground and the distal ends rolls off the floor. This movement is known as the stance phase. From the toe-off and until the next heel-strike,
the foot is propelled forward, this is the swing phase. During a walk, each phase occurs at directly opposite times for each foot. There is a period where both feet are on the ground at the same time. During my stance phase, the heel of my foot is not the first part to make contact with the ground. I am not a heel-striker, but most of my foot hits the ground at the same time. As my weight shifts to the front of my foot I roll off slightly medial of my middle toes. This causes a small pronation. The pronation may also be due to not enough support for my high medial longitudinal arch. Even with the pronation, the joints between the talus, tibia, and fibula are aligned, no eversion or inversion. During my run, the pronation increases slightly and causes a small ankle inversion above the talas. Normally pronation causes ankle eversion, but my pronation is slight and my ankles do not have to compensate much. When I hit the floor, the pad of my foot is first to make contact, causing plantar flexion of the foot until the phalange/metatarsal joint where the foot begins dorsi flexion. In flight there is little to no coronal movement, I do not “run like a girl.” As compared to an optimal walk and run, there is little deviation. The only thing is the slight pronation which could be helped by strong arch support and therapy.
Using a lateral plum line, there are a few postural deviations of my body. One that is very common in our generation is protraction of the head. I am included in this deviation. My head is farther out in front of my body when compared to my heel, hip, and shoulder points. This protraction of the head is most likely due to continuous work done in front of ourselves, like writing and typing, or even wearing a backpack. Long term protraction of the head, or forward head posture (FHP), can lead to muscle strain, disc herniation, arthritis, and pinched nerves (Mayo Clinic). Another misalignment I share with many other people is being knock knee. This can be due to my age. The leg straightens out as the individual gets older. The last misalignment is a result of playing sports. As a tennis player, my right arm and shoulder have become stronger than my left ones. This causes a slight elevation of my right shoulder. Such a minor case like this does not normally lead to disorders, but if the muscles in my right shoulder become much stronger than my left it could lead to a spinal misalignment. My posture is fine at the moment and if no major changes occur, I do not have to worry about any compensatory disorders.
The bottom of the foot is lined with plantar fascia that allows ligaments and muscles to attach around the foot.
The plantar fascia supports the arches of the foot, which in turn allow the body to properly support its weight. It is because of our arches we can have a fluid walk. The three main arches of the foot are the medial longitudinal arch, lateral longitudinal arch, and transverse arch. I have high medial longitudinal arches and lateral longitudinal arches, but low transverse arches. Even though I have high arches, I do not have supination of the foot. I believe my pronation is due to a lack of arch support which causes a space between the shoe and my sole. When I walk this space is filled, causing pronation. Shoes with a high arch support and a wide area for the pad of my foot would fit me
best.
Going to buy new tennis shoes is a hassle. With so many to choose from, it can be hard finding the right one. With the knowledge I gained from analyzing my own body, the next time I go shoe shopping I will know exactly which ones to buy. The shoe must have high arches to support my high medial longitudinal arches and lateral longitudinal arches. Shoes without arch support will cause pronation and possibly sore soles. It must also have a wide area for the pad of my foot because I have low transverse arches and a large forefoot. If it does not, my toes may be pinched and it will cause discomfort. Because I strike the pad of my foot while running, lots of cushioning at the forefoot is best. There should also be cushioning at the heel for walking and shock absorption, this will help the meniscus in my knees in the long run. At the heel, a strong ankle support will prevent ankle inversion and rolling an ankle by aligning the talus, calcaneus, tibia, and fibula. In general, my gait has little deviations and does not need an extremely corrective shoe.
The foot is an amazing appendage. It affects the whole entire body in just its shape and the way it moves. By understanding its purpose and function, individuals can be helped. From analyzing my gait, arches, and posture I have a better understanding of the proper motion of the whole body. I also now understand what a healthy, optimal body looks like and moves like. This information would be very helpful if I continue into a medical field, but it will also help in daily life and knowing if something may be wrong with your body.