The Relationships between Foot Arch Volumes and Dynamic Plantar Pressure during Midstance of Walking in Preschool Children

Abstract

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the foot arch volume measured from static positions and the plantar pressure distribution during walking.MethodsA total of 27 children, two to six years of age, were included in this study. Measurements of static foot posture were obtained, including navicular height and foot arch volume in sitting and standing positions. Plantar pressure, force and contact areas under ten different regions of the foot were obtained during walking.ResultsThe foot arch index was correlated (r = 0.32) with the pressure difference under the midfoot during the foot flat phase. The navicular heights and foot arch volumes in sitting and standing positions were correlated with the mean forces and pressures under the first (r = −0.296∼−0.355) and second metatarsals (r = −0.335∼−0.504) and midfoot (r = −0.331∼−0.496) during the stance phase of walking. The contact areas under the foot were correlated with the foot arch parameters, except for the area under the midfoot.ConclusionsThe foot arch index measured in a static position could be a functional index to predict the dynamic foot functions when walking. The foot arch is a factor which will influence the pressure distribution under the foot. Children with a lower foot arch demonstrated higher mean pressure and force under the medial forefoot and midfoot, and lower contact areas under the foot, except for the midfoot region. Therefore, children with flatfoot may shift their body weight to a more medial foot position when walking, and could be at a higher risk of soft tissue injury in this area.

Cerebral palsy: Influence of TheraTogs ® on gait, posture and in functional performance

“…The peaks were high in the hallux region, low in the midfoot region and metatarsals and absent in the heel region (30,31) in both feet. Gaston et al (27) found a correlation between the rotation of the foot and of the hip and pelvis, showing that when the foot receives the load medially, the entirety of the lower limb rotates inward.…”

Gait Segmentation Method Using a Plantar Pressure Measurement System with Custom-Made Capacitive Sensors

“…Lastly, the forefoot push-off phase (FFPOP) starts when the metatarsal heads and the toes are the only support in contact with the ground. The toe-off event is considered the transition between the stance and swing phases [13,17].…”

Eigenfoot decomposition of plantar pressure images and case study of feature prediction of two modalities

“…The correlation between the measured and predicted speed varies between 0.950 and 0.978 depending on the gait speed (slow, normal or fast walking). Chang et al investigated the correlation between different foot arch measures and the plantar pressure [2]. A correlation of 0.32 was found between the arch volume index and the change in pressure under the midfoot.…”