Abstract Summary
Ankle plantar flexor muscles are significant contributors of locomotor performance and their force-velocity operating region is influenced by a ‘gearing’ mechanism of the foot-ankle system. The aim of this study was to determine whether anatomical variations in foot morphology can influence soleus muscle fascicle mechanics and whole-body metabolic cost during walking. We found no significant association between measures of foot anthropometry (hallux and heel lengths) with soleus muscle fascicle shortening speed. Longer heels were associated with reduced metabolic cost of transport, but only at a fast walking speed of 2.0 m/s (p< 0.01).
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