Material properties of the plantar aponeurosis.

Material properties of the plantar aponeurosis were determined by a two-dimensional video tracking method to simultaneously measure the aponeurosis deformation. Failure loads averaged 1189 +/- 244 N and were higher in men. Average stiffness of the intact fascia was 203.7 +/- 50.5 N/mm at a loading rate of 11.12 N/sec and it did not vary significantly for the loading rates of 11.12 to 1112 N/sec. The high tensile loads required for failure were consistent with clinical and biomechanical studies and indicated the importance of the aponeurosis in foot function and arch stability.