A comparison of foot kinematics between pregnant and non-pregnant women using the Oxford foot model during walking

To investigate the effects between pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NW) on foot kinematics during walking using the Oxford foot model (OFM). Twenty women with last trimester of pregnancy and 23 non-pregnant women were involved in this study. Three-dimensional motion of the forefoot, hindfoot and tibia during walking were recorded by a Vicon motion analysis system. Two force platforms were used to record the ground reaction force. Compared with NW, PW demonstrated greater plantar flexion and internal rotation of hindfoot and internal tibial rotation during initial contact, greater forefoot eversion and hindfoot external rotation during push off. Moreover, PW showed greater external tibial rotation than NW during toe off and the centre of pressure (COP) trajectory moved to the 2nd to 3rd metatarsal at this stage. It appears that the altered foot kinematics of pregnant women may contribute to the redistribution of joints loads and the maintenance stability at a comfortable walking pace.