Accessible Summary:

Purpose: To test the hypothesis advanced in the first publication that plantar tactile information induced behavioral change resulting in foot adaptations to barefoot locomotion.

Synopsis: The plantar surface was loaded through applying load comfortably to the knee flexed at 90 degrees, and leg in a  vertical position.  There was evidence of an unconscious avoidance of heavy plantar loading that varied in relation to the surface irregularity of the support surface.

Significance: The hypothesis was supported.

The data further supported the following conclusions:

1) Humans possess an inherent feedback mechanism that serves to minimize impact in response to plantar sensory feedback from surface deformations.

2) Humans moderate impact through increasing amplitude of hip and knee flexion during locomotion.

3) Excessive extension at the hip and knee during locomotion is associated with overloading.