Subjects must maintain an equal-load static standing posture to ensure that body weight is distributed evenly across both feet, creating a standardized biomechanical environment. This posture is essential for simulating a closed kinetic chain, allowing 3D scanning systems to capture how the foot genuinely deforms under a controlled half-body weight load.
The core purpose of this protocol is to capture authentic foot mechanics rather than resting geometry. By standardizing the load, researchers ensure that derived metrics—specifically rotation moments and Axial Bone Distance (ABD)—accurately represent the foot's behavior during daily weight-bearing activities.
Establishing the Biomechanical Baseline
Simulating the Closed Kinetic Chain
The foot functions differently when suspended in the air versus when it is load-bearing on the ground.
The equal-load posture replicates a closed kinetic chain. In this state, the foot is fixed to the floor, forcing the joints and soft tissues to react to the body's mass in a mechanically realistic way.
The Half-Body Weight Standard
"Equal-load" is a precise instruction intended to place exactly half of the total body weight on the foot being scanned.
Without this standardization, a subject might inadvertently shift weight to one side. This would alter the forces applied to the foot, making comparisons between subjects or between left and right feet impossible.
Capturing Authentic Deformation
Measuring Navicular Displacement
Under load, the height of the arch changes.
The specific physical condition of equal-load standing allows the system to capture medial navicular displacement. This is the vertical movement of the navicular bone, a critical indicator of arch flexibility and function.
Visualizing Midfoot Pronation
The foot naturally rolls inward to absorb shock under weight.
By maintaining this posture, the 3D data captures authentic midfoot pronation. This ensures the digital model reflects the foot's expanded, load-bearing shape rather than its contracted, non-weight-bearing shape.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Necessity of Load for Accuracy
You cannot accurately calculate mechanical characteristics from an unloaded foot.
Metrics such as Axial Bone Distance (ABD) and rotation moments depend entirely on the spatial relationship between bones under pressure. Removing or altering the load renders these specific calculations invalid for assessing daily function.
Potential Pitfalls in Data Collection
The trade-off of this strict protocol is the requirement for subject compliance.
If a subject struggles with balance or shifts weight due to fatigue, the "authentic deformation" becomes distorted. This sensitivity means that even minor deviations from an equal-load posture can result in data that does not reflect the subject's true mechanical reality.
Ensuring Protocol Validity
To ensure your 3D foot data is actionable, apply the protocol based on your specific end-goal:
- If your primary focus is Clinical Diagnosis: Ensure strict adherence to the half-body weight standard to accurately assess pathological deformation like excessive pronation.
- If your primary focus is Biomechanical Research: Verify that rotation moments and ABD metrics are derived only from scans where the closed kinetic chain was maintained.
Standardizing posture is the only way to turn a static 3D image into a dynamic representation of functional anatomy.
Summary Table:
| Metric Category | Key Benefit | Why Equal-Load Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Kinetic Chain | Simulates Real-World Load | Replicates how joints react to body mass while fixed to the ground. |
| Arch Function | Navicular Displacement | Measures vertical movement and arch flexibility under half-body weight. |
| Foot Geometry | Authentic Pronation | Captures the foot's expanded shape rather than its resting state. |
| Data Integrity | Standardized Baseline | Ensures metrics like ABD and rotation moments are comparable and valid. |
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References
- Tomoko Yamashita, Shingo Ata. Evaluation of Hallux Valgus Using Rotational Moment of Midfoot Measured by a Three-dimensional Foot Scanner: a Cross-sectional Observational Study. DOI: 10.14326/abe.12.154
This article is also based on technical information from 3515 Knowledge Base .
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