It’s all in the foot! Researchers have studied the mechanics of human feet, which are particularly well oiled. They are a marvel.
Bio-mechanics, these specialists in body mechanics, have studied the functioning of the human foot. We thus discover all its richness and power, which confirms Mathilde Fontez, editor-in-chief of the magazine Epsiloon.
franceinfo: So we discover that our feet are a marvel of bio-mechanics?
Mathilde Fontez : Yes, the latest scientific publication dates from just a few weeks ago. It is signed by researchers from the University of Munich, Yale in the United States and the University of Queensland in Australia. They studied our feet in motion, during exercise, with a 3D scanner and digital models. But that is the key to this work, because until now the feet had been studied structurally, in other words like an engine stopped to be able to observe the parts. By detailing the movements, we discover a small jewel of mechanics, a high bio-technology!
How is the movement of our feet particularly effective?
Effective and complex. 26 bones, 16 joints, 107 ligaments and 20 muscles are organized to allow us to walk with little or no effort. It’s a three-step mechanism. First, the arch of the foot: it is not a simple framework as one might think, the bones actually form a double arch which offers the foot a very flexible movement. Then, the structure: a passive system that can modulate its rigidity to deform and adapt to the terrain, or stiffen to serve as a support for pushing. Finally, to propel the leg, the highlight of techno is the Achilles tendon which springs into action: it acts like a catapult, it stretches and accumulates energy which it releases a blow and puts us in motion with almost no expenditure of energy.
Do we see the same thing in other primates?
No, our foot is unique. In monkeys, for example, it is much more flexible: too flexible to allow them to walk without getting exhausted. It is undoubtedly this mechanism which gave us the possibility of moving over very long distances. And to somehow take our independence from the environment.