Fig 1.
There was no influence of changes in paint amount or consistency across each trial: between step width and step number, p = 0.328; between step length and step number, p = 0.959.
Fig 2.
Maximum foot length (MFL) was measured as the distance along the Brannock axis: pternion to tip of second toe (A).
Maximum foot width (MFW) was measured as the most lateral aspect of the footprint (fifth metatarsal) measured obliquely to the most medial aspect of print (B). For each series of footprints, stride length (E) was measured as the distance between the most posterior aspects of subsequent heels on each side.
Fig 3.
The significantly different mass-specific footprint patterns of males and females.
These figures are for unloaded walking at the medium (comfortable) speed, but the graphs and patterns are identical for all speed conditions. The p-values for the residuals of the sex differences of these relationships are p<0.04 for maximum foot length; p<0.04 for maximum foot width; p<0.02 for foot area.
Fig 4.
The increase in maximum foot length (MFL) at each of the loaded conditions by sex (all speeds combined).
The circles denote the means and the error bars represent the 95% confidence intervals. MFL was consistent across all loading conditions for males. For females, the difference between the unloaded and front loaded condition is significant (p<0.01).
Fig 5.
The increase in maximum foot width (MFW) at each of the loaded conditions by sex (all speeds combined).
The circles denote the means and the error bars represent the 95% confidence intervals. The differences between the unloaded, and front and back loaded conditions are significant for both males and females at the slower speeds (p<0.05). MFW is also significantly larger for females between the unloaded and side loaded condition regardless of speed (p<0.05).
Table 1.
A summary of significant changes (p<0.05) to footprint size and stride length during loaded walking.
Fig 6.
Showing the regression equations for maximum foot length and foot area predicting either mass or stature.
Following the arrows from each point illustrates the overestimation of mass from footprints of loaded individuals, as determined by the mean percent increase.