Eversion and inversion Analysis in Athletic Walking

The calcaneus has two opposite movements in the horizontal plane: turning the sole of the foot outward (eversion) or inward (inversion). There is no experimental evidence about the relationship among lower extremity injuries, type of foot and excessive inversion and eversion values. There are no decisive studies about maximum inversion/eversion values during running or athletic walking. Three groups of 5 race-walkers, 5 sprinters and 5 sedentary subjects have been made. Type of foot (Hernández-Corvo) has been analyzed and a 2D video filming from a backsight has been used to measured maximum inversion/eversion values walking (6km/h), running (14km/h) and race-walking (12km/h, only race-walkers) in a treadmill. There is a negative significant correlation (p<0.01) between maximum inversion and eversion values (bigger eversion implies less inversion and viceversa), but not between these values and type of foot. There are not significant differences either in type of foot or in maximum inversion/eversion values among the three groups. However, on average, race-walkers have the greatest values for eversion. There are significant differences (p<0.05) in maximum inversion and eversion values between sprinters running and athletic-walkers racewalking. This may mean that athletic walking technique increases eversion values which could also increase the risk of injuries.