Hatala, KG, Gatesy, SM, Manafzadeh, AR, Lusardi, E and Falkingham, PL (2024) Technical note: A volumetric method for measuring the longitudinal arch of human tracks and feet. American Journal of Biological Anthropology.

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Abstract

Fossil footprints (i.e., tracks) were believed to document arch anatomical evolution, although our recent work has shown that track arches record foot kinematics instead. Analyses of track arches can thereby inform the evolution of human locomotion, although quantifying this 3-D aspect of track morphology is difficult. Here, we present a volumetric method for measuring the arches of 3-D models of human tracks and feet, using both Autodesk Maya and Blender software. The method involves generation of a 3-D object that represents the space beneath the longitudinal arch, and measurement of that arch object's geometry and spatial orientation. We provide relevant tools and guidance for users to apply this technique to their own data. We present three case studies to demonstrate potential applications. These include, (1) measuring the arches of static and dynamic human feet, (2) comparing the arches of human tracks with the arches of the feet that made them, and (3) direct comparisons of human track and foot arch morphology throughout simulated track formation. The volumetric measurement tool proved robust for measuring 3-D models of human tracks and feet, in static and dynamic contexts. This tool enables researchers to quantitatively compare arches of fossil hominin tracks, in order to derive biomechanical interpretations from them, and/or offers a different approach for quantifying foot morphology in living humans.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Technical note: A volumetric method for measuring the longitudinal arch of human tracks and feet, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24897. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions:	Biological & Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Publisher:	Wiley
Related URLs:	https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.23585328
SWORD Depositor:	A Symplectic
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2024 14:43
Last Modified:	05 Jan 2024 14:45
DOI or ID number:	10.1002/ajpa.24897
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/22212

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