Sex differences in the kinematics and kinetics of the foot and plantar aponeurosis during drop-jump

Abstract

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in runners and jumpers, with a higher incidence in females. However, mechanisms underlying sex-associated differences in its incidence remain unclear. This study investigated the possible differences in landing and jumping kinematics and kinetics of the foot between sexes during drop-jump activities. Twenty-six participants, including 13 males and 13 females, performed drop-jumps from a platform onto force plates. Nineteen trials including ten males and nine females were selected for inverse dynamics analysis. The patterns of stretch and tensile force generated by the plantar aponeurosis (PA) were estimated using a multi-segment foot model incorporating the PA. Our results demonstrated that dorsiflexion, angular velocity, and normalized plantarflexion moment of the midtarsal joint right after the heel landed on the floor were significantly larger in females than in males. Consequently, the PA strain rate and tensile stress tended to be larger in females than in males. Such differences in the kinematics and kinetics of the foot and the PA between sexes could potentially lead to a higher prevalence of foot injuries such as plantar fasciitis in females.