BMC Geriatrics 2005, 5:8 doi:10.1186/1471-2318-5-8
Foot pressure distribution during walking in young and old adults
Mary Josephine Hessert,Mitul Vyas, Jason Leach, Kun Hu, Lewis A Lipsitz, and Vera Novak
Abstract
Background: Measurement of foot pressure distribution (FPD) is clinically useful for evaluation of foot and gait pathologies. The effects of healthy aging on FPD during walking are not well known. This study evaluated FPD during normal walking in healthy young and elderly subjects.
Methods: We studied 9 young (30 ± 5.2 years), and 6 elderly subjects (68.7 ± 4.8 years). FPD was measured during normal walking speed using shoe insoles with 99 capacitive sensors. Measured parameters included gait phase characteristics, mean and maximum pressure and force, and relative load. Time-series measurements of each variable for all sensors were grouped into 9 anatomical masks.
Results: Elderly subjects had lower normalized maximum pressure for the medial and lateral calcaneal masks, and for all medial masks combined. In the medial calcaneus mask, the elderly group also had a lower absolute maximum and lower mean and normalized mean pressures and forces, compared to young subjects. Elderly subjects had lower maximum force and normalized maximum force and lower mean force and normalized mean forces in the medial masks as well.
Conclusion: FPD differences between the young and elderly groups were confined to the calcaneus and hallux regions and to the medial side of the foot. In elderly subjects, weight bearing on the lateral side of the foot during heel touch and toe-off phases may affect stability during walking.
Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association – 2013 Mar-Apr;103(2):121-5.
The effect of moderate running on foot posture index and plantar pressure distribution in male recreational runners
Escamilla-Martínez E., Martínez-Nova A, Gómez-Martín B, Sánchez-Rodríguez R, Fernández-Seguín LM.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Fatigue due to running has been shown to contribute to changes in plantar pressure distribution. However, little is known about changes in foot posture after running. We sought to compare the foot posture index before and after moderate exercise and to relate any changes to plantar pressure patterns.
METHODS: A baropodometric evaluation was made, using the FootScan platform (RSscan International, Olen, Belgium), of 30 men who were regular runners and their foot posture was examined using the Foot Posture Index before and after a 60-min continuous run at a moderate pace (3.3 m/sec).
RESULTS: Foot posture showed a tendency toward pronation after the 60-min run, gaining 2 points in the foot posture index. The total support and medial heel contact areas increased, as did pressures under the second metatarsal head and medial heel.
CONCLUSIONS: Continuous running at a moderate speed (3.3 m/sec) induced changes in heel strike related to enhanced pronation posture, indicative of greater stress on that zone after physical activity. This observation may help us understand the functioning of the foot, prevent injuries, and design effective plantar orthoses in sport.
European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine 2012 September;48(3):393-402
Balance and walking in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: multiperspective assessment
Aprile I., Padua L., Iosa M., Gilardi A., Bordieri C., Frusciante R., Russo G., Erra C., De Santis F., Ricci E.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), the association of ankle muscle impairment with knee, hip and abdominal weakness causes complex alterations of static (postural) and dynamic (walking) balance, increasing the risk of recurrent falls. Stereophotogrammetric system and body-worn gyroscopes were used to focus on locomotor capacity and upper body movements in FSHD patients respectively. No data have been reported about static balance (plantar pressure and stabilometric parameters) and dynamic balance (spatio-temporal parameters during walking) in patients with FSHD. Moreover it is not known if the balance involvement influences disability and quality of life (QoL) of these patients.
AIM: The aim of this study is to quantitatively assess static and dynamic balance in FSHD patients and their influence on disability and QoL.
DESIGN: Case control-study.
SETTING: Outpatient Rehabilitation Department.
POPULATION: Sixteen FSHD patients were compared with 16 matched healthy subjects.
METHODS: A baropodometric platform was used to measure plantar pressure and centre of pressure in stance (static evaluation), and spatio-temporal parameters during walking (dynamic evaluation). These quantitative results in FSHD patients were also correlated with validated clinical (Clinical Severity Scale), performance (10m and 2 min Walking Test), disability (Berg Balance Scale, Rivermead Mobility Index) and quality of life (QoL) measures (SF-36, NASS).
RESULTS: The patients moved the plantar pressure forward from hindfoot to forefoot. Static balance was significantly reduced in patients compared with healthy subjects. Dynamic evaluation of walking showed a significant reduction of velocity and step length in the patients, and a significant increase in step width. Dynamic and static parameters were significantly related to a reduction of 10 mWT performance while only dynamic parameters were strongly related to disability and QoL.
CONCLUSION: FSHD patients present an abnormal static and dynamic balance and they show compensation strategies to avoid falling . The involvement of the dynamic balance worsens the physical aspects of QoL and induces disability. The involvement of static balance induces a reduction of the performance in brief distances.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The balance training should be considered in the rehabilitation program of FSHD patients; the compensation strategies adopted by these patients should be considered in the ankle foot orthosis treatment. The static and dynamic balance assessment in FSHD patients can be used in natural history studies.
Foot & Ankle, Vol. 7, No. 5, April 1987
Pressure Distribution under Symptom-Free Feet during Barefoot Standing
Peter R. Cavanagh, Ph.D., Mary M. Rodgers, Ph.D., and Akira liboshi, M.S.
Abstract
The plantar pressure distributions for a large heterogeneous sample of feet (N = 107) were collected during barefoot standing using a capacitance mat. From these data, the function of the foot during standing was characterized. Peak pressures under the heel (139 kPa) were, on average, 2.6 times greater than forefoot pressures (53 kPa). Forefoot peak pressures were usually located under the second or third metatarsal heads. No significant relationship was found between body weight and the magnitude of peak pressure. The concepts of a transverse arch at the level of the metatarsal heads and a “tripod” theory of load distribution were not substantiated by this study. Load distribution analysis showed that the heel carried 60%, the midfoot 8%, and the forefoot 28% of the weightbearing load. The toes were only minimally involved in the weightbearing process. Examples of unusual distributions are shown; finally, a checklist is provided to aid the clinician in evaluating plantar pressure findings.
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 1985, Vol. 7, April
Foot Pressure Patterns During Gait
RW. Soames
Abstract
Peak pressure and temporal parameters of foot function were determined in 21 men and 11 women; few differences between men and women in any of the parameters were observed, either when walking barefoot or when wearing shoes. However, significant differences were observed when barefoot and shod walking were compared. The main influence of shoes appears to be in modifying the behavior of the forefoot, by changing the pressure distribution across the metatarsal heads and increasing the contact times for the toes. The implications of such changes are discussed. Intersubject variability in the pattern and magnitude of the peak pressure distributions under the foot, which appear to be consistent in both the short and long term, may prove to be of importance in the clinical environment, by providing an individual baseline from which change can be measured. A new measure, the pressure-time integral, could be a more valuable single measure than either the peak pressure or the temporal parameters.
Journal of Biomechanics Vol. 20 No. 5 pp. 547-551 1987
The Arch Index: A Useful Measure From Footprints
Peter R. Cavanagh and Mary M. Rodgers
Abstract
Previous methods of measuring footprints for the purpose of classifying foot type are reviewed. A planimetric method is presented for characterizing footprints using the ratio of the area of the middle third of the footprint to the entire footprint area (excluding the toes). This ‘arch index’during 50% body weight standing provides an objective measure for comparative purposes with a measured reliability, within day and between day, of 0.96 and 0.94 respectively. Values measured from footprints taken during other activities show variable responses in different subjects. Examples of the arch index taken from static footprints of various feet are presented and data are reported from 107 randomly selected subjects during half body weight stance. Criteria are suggested for the classification of footprints as high, normal, and flat arch.
Work, vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 87-91, 2016
Effects of noise on postural stability when in the standing position
Azevedo R, Teixeira N, Abade E, Carvalho A.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Loss of postural stability may result in postural imbalance and can increase the risk of slips and falls in the workplace.
OBJECTIVE: This study intended to provide new insight into the effects of noise on postural stability when in the standing position.
METHODS: Twenty healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this study. Their postural stability was analysed using a baropodometry platform under 4 different sets of conditions: i) standing position, without any noise and without wearing ear protectors; ii) standing position, without any noise and wearing ear protectors; iii) standing position, with noise and without wearing ear protectors; iv) standing position, with noise and wearing ear protectors.
RESULTS: The results showed that noise at different sound frequencies (400, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz) at a level of 95-100 dBA did not affect the participants’ postural stability when in the standing position. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found in postural balance when participants were exposed to sound with or without ear protectors. Short duration, sensory inputs (i.e. vision) and the absence of physical workloads appear to facilitate postural stability.
Clinics; 2015, 70(11):743
Baropodometric analyses of patients before and after bariatric surgery
Bacha IL, Benetti FA, Greve JM
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical component of the ground reaction force, plantar pressure, contact area of the feet and double-support time using static and dynamic (gait) baropodometry before and after bariatric surgery.
METHODS: Sixteen individuals with a body mass index of between 35 and 55 were evaluated before and after bariatric surgery. Thirteen patients (81.3%) were female and three (18.8%) male and their average age was 46±10 (21-60) years. An FSCAN system (version 3848) was used for baropodometric analyses (1 km/h and 3 km/h). The peak plantar pressure and ground reaction force were measured for the rear foot and forefoot. The double-support time and foot contact area were measured during gait.
RESULTS: There were reductions in the ground reaction force in the forefoot and rear foot and in the foot contact area in all evaluations and of the double-support time at 3 km/h, as well as a significant reduction in the body mass index at six months post-surgery. The peak pressure did not vary at 1 km/h and at 3 km/h, reductions in peak pressure were observed in the left and right rear feet and left forefoot.
CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss after bariatric surgery resulted in decreases in the ground reaction force and contact area of the foot. Plantar pressure was decreased at 3 km/h, especially in the forefoot. There was an increase in rhythm because of a reduction in the double-support time at 3 km/h.
Fisioterapia. 2011
Intrasession reliability of balance studies by means of a pressure platform
J.C. Zuil Escobar y C.B. Martínez Cepa Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Madrid, España
Abstract
Aim: The aim of the present study has been to evaluate the intrasession reliability of balance exploration by means of a pressure platform using different times along the duration of the test. Materials and methods: Reliability and prospective study has been made using a sample of 70 healthy individuals aged 18 to 35 years old. Each individual was explored using a pressure platform and two test for each of the four selected times: 5, 15, 30 and 60 seconds. Among the studied stabilometric parameters, the center of pressure surface and its movements in anteroposterior and lateral direction. Interrelated correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of the mentioned parameters. Results: The time of 60 seconds has showed the highest interrelated correlation coefficient (0,544-0,650). The interrelated correlation coefficient has showed a moderate reliability for the time of 60 and 30 seconds. The time of 15 seconds has showed a poor reliability while the five seconds time was not used due to the impossibility of its calculation because of the abnormal distribution of the parameters. Conclusion: The level of reliability for the balance exploration using a pressure platform increa-ses as well as the duration of the test goes up.
Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Volume 2011 (2011)
Diabetic Foot Prevention: Repeatability of the Loran Platform Plantar Pressure and Load DistributionMeasurements in Nondiabetic Subjects during Bipedal Standing – A Pilot Study
Martha Zequera, Leonardo Garavito, William Sandham, Juan Camilo Bernal, Ángela Rodríguez, Luis Camilo Jiménez, Andrés Hernández, Carlos Wilches, and Ana Cecilia Villa Bioengineering
Abstract
This study was designed to assess the repeatability of the Loran Platform and evaluate the variability of plantar pressure and postural balance, during barefoot standing in nondiabetic subjects, for future diabetic foot clinical evaluation.Measurements were taken for eight nondiabetic subjects (4 females, 4 males, aged 47±7.2 years) who had no musculoskeletal symptoms. Five variables were measured with the platform in the barefoot standing position. Ten measurements were taken using two different techniques for feet and posture positioning, during three sessions, once a week. For most measurements, no significant effect over time was found with Student’s t-test (P < .000125). The ANOVA test of statistical significance confirmed that measurement diferences between subjects showed higher variations than measurements taken from the same subject (P < .001). The measurements taken by the Loran Platform system were found to be repeatable.
Acta Ortopédica Brasileira 2010; 18(4):191-6
Osteotomia Em Chevron Modificada: Análise Preliminar Do Comportamento Baropodométrico
Juliana Motta Costa, Aluisio Otavio Vargas Ávila, Daniel Nickel Kleinowski, Luciano Martins Kroth, Marcos Emilio Kuschnaroff ContrerasUniversidade do Estado de Santa Catarina (UDESC/SC) Hospital Governador Celso Ramos (HGCR/SC)
Resumo
Objetivo: Avaliar as características clínicas e baropodométricas da marcha de indivíduos com Hálux Valgo após a osteotomia em Chevron modificada, isolada ou em associação com a osteotomia de Weil. Métodos: Foram avaliados, antes e três meses após a cirurgia, 27 pés com deformidade leve e moderada. A avaliação clínica incluiu a pontuação da AOFAS e medidas radiográficas. A avaliação baropodométrica foi realizada através da Plataforma Emed-at. As variáveis Pico de Pressão, Integral Pressão-Tempo e Carga Re-lativa foram calculadas em 10 regiões: calcanhar, mediopé, 1-5º metatársicos, hálux, 2º, 3-5º dedos. Resultados: Após a cirurgia houve aumento na pontuação da AOFAS e redução dos parâmetros radiográficos. A avaliação baropodométrica, após osteotomia em Chevron isolada, demonstrou redução da pressão e da força sob o 1º metatársico e hálux, assim como, aumento dessas variáveis nos metatársicos centrais e laterais. Após a osteotomia em Chevron/Weil ocorreram alterações significativas apenas na região do hálux e dos dedos. Conclusão: Em curto prazo, a técnica em Chevron modificada promoveu melhora das condições clínicas e dos parâmetros radiográficos. Em relação a avaliação baropodométrica constatou-se uma transferência de cargas da região medial para lateral do antepé, possivelmente pelo curto período de pós-operatório.
JOURNAL PLOS ONE March 21, 2016
Barefoot Plantar Pressure Indicates Progressive Neurological Damage in Patients with Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Infection
Beatriz Helena B. Vasconcelos, Givago S. Souza, Tatiana G. C. P. Barroso, Luiz Carlos L. Silveira, Rita Catarina M. Sousa, Bianca Callegari, Marília B. Xavier
Abstract
Background: The human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus associated with neurological alterations; individuals with HTLV-1 infection may develop HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Frequent neurological complaints include foot numbness and leg weakness. In this study, we compared the distribution of the body weight on different areas of the foot in HTLV-1 patients with HAM/TSP, asymptomatic HTLV-1 patients, and healthy individuals.
Methodology: We studied 36 HTLV-1 infected patients, who were divided in two groups of 18 patients each based on whether or not they had been diagnosed with HAM/TSP, and 17 control subjects. The evaluation included an interview on the patient’s clinical history and examinations of the patient’s reflexes, foot skin tactile sensitivity, and risk of falling. The pressure distribution on different areas of the foot was measured with baropodometry, using a pressure platform, while the patients had their eyes open or closed.
Main Findings: The prevalence of neurological disturbances—altered reflexes and skin tactile sensitivity and increased risk of falling—was higher in HTLV-1 HAM/TSP patients than in HTLV-1 asymptomatic patients. The medium and maximum pressure values were higher in the forefoot than in the midfoot and hindfoot in both HTLV-1 groups. In addition, the pressure on the hindfoot was lower in HAM/TSP patients compared to control subjects.
Conclusions: The neurological disturbances associated with HTLV-1 infection gradually worsened from HTLV-1 asymptomatic patients to HAM/TSP patients. Baropodometry is a valuable tool to establish the extent of neurological damage in patients suffering from HTLV-1 infection.
