Effects of Tactical Boots on Foot and Ankle Kinematics

Occupational footwear is designed for personnel protection from injuries. Footwear worn in military populations has been associated with potential injury. During the gait foot and ankle segment is important part of body balance. Lower limb injury incidence, especially ankle injuries, remains common among military populations. Study aim was to compare ankle joint angular velocities when walking barefoot and while wearing tactical boots. N = 64 active-duty infantry male soldiers at mean age 30.0 ± 5.5 years participated in this study. Foot and ankle joint angle calculations as well as spatiotemporal gait parameters were evaluated and 2D kinematic assessment was undertaken for barefoot and shod conditions. During the barefoot walk, foot contact angle was reduced comparing with shod conditions. Maximum angular velocities of plantarflexion and dorsiflexion during barefoot walk were elevated comparing with gait using tactical boots. All observed differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). This study demonstrates that tactical boots change foot and ankle kinematics during the gait. Shod walking indicated reduced motion of foot and ankle. Maximum angular velocity values during ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion in this study are comparable with reported angular velocities observed in healthy populations while using common and athletic footwear.