New RVC research explains human foot and leg proportions

Novel research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) examining the human walk has been able to predict leg and foot proportions using collisional geometry. The findings suggest why modern humans have a knee halfway down their legs, short heel and toes, a stiff, longer midfoot, and why a comfortable step is two to three feet long. Human legs and feet have evolved over time. Since our common ancestor with the great apes, human leg length has increased, the leg in stance has become straighter, feet have become stiffer and toes shorter. Whilst this evolution has resulted in legs capable of climbing, swimming and running, it is likely that human legs have adapted mainly for economical walking. However, although there has been a significant number of studies on this evolution of the structure and function of human legs and feet, the mechanical implications and the benefits of human leg and foot proportions have not previously been demonstrated. Jim Usherwood, Professor of Locomotor Biomechanics at the RVC, set out to interpret the basic aspects of leg and foot function and geometry in the context of economical bipedal walking, and subsequently discovered a surprisingly simple reason for their configuration.