Researchers now think that the arch running across the width of the human foot might be a big part of the reason that people can walk and run upright
The arch helps to make the feet stiff to withstand forces on the foot caused by walking and running
Researchers now think that the arch running across the width of the human foot might be a big part of the reason that people can walk and run upright
The arch helps to make the feet stiff to withstand forces on the foot caused by walking and running.
The transverse tarsal arch caused by the curve of the bones in the middle of the foot stiffens the foot lengthwise. This believd to have evolved 3.4 million years ago helped hominids to gain the ability to walk and run on two feet unlike other primates. This study can help experts design better prosthetics or treat people with flat feet. The study was done by the team of researchers from the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The paper was published in Nature.