scholarly journals The association between high-arched feet, plantar pressure distribution and body posture in young women

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Woźniacka ◽  
Łukasz Oleksy ◽  
Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska ◽  
Anna Mika ◽  
Renata Kielnar ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of excessive feet arching (symmetrical and asymmetrical) on plantar pressure distribution and on the alignment of pelvis, spine and shoulder girdle. Eighty-one women (20–40 years old, 61 +/− 12 kg, 165 +/− 5 cm) were divided into 3 groups based on the foot arch index (Group 1 - with normally arched feet, Group 2 with one foot properly arched and the other high-arched, Group 3 with both feet high-arched). Plantar pressure distribution between the right and left foot for the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot, respectively and body posture were assessed. A slight increase in longitudinal arch of the foot caused changes in the distribution of feet loads both between limbs and between the forefoot and rearfoot and also influenced the whole body. Asymmetrical high-arching of the feet resulted in asymmetry of lower limb load and in the height of the shoulder girdle. We have suggested that any alteration of the foot arch may be harmful to body tissues and should not be considered as correct. Due to the fact that slight increases in longitudinal arch of the foot are very common, they should be considered as a foot defect, and appropriate corrective exercises should be used to prevent forefoot overload and alterations in body posture.

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8998
Author(s):  
Xuanzhen Cen ◽  
Datao Xu ◽  
Julien S. Baker ◽  
Yaodong Gu

The medial longitudinal arch is considered as an essential feature which distinguishes humans from other primates. The longitudinal arch plays a supporting and buffering role in human daily physical activities. However, bad movement patterns could lead to deformation of arch morphology, resulting in foot injuries. The authors aimed to investigate any alterations in static and dynamic arch index following different weight bearings. A further aim was to analyze any changes in plantar pressure distribution characteristics on gait during walking and stopping, Twelve males were required to complete foot morphology scans and three types of gait tests with 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of additional body weight. The dynamic gait tests included walking, planned and unplanned gait termination. Foot morphology details and plantar pressure data were collected from subjects using the Easy-Foot-Scan and Footscan pressure platform. No significant differences were observed in static arch index when adding low levels of additional body weight (10%). There were no significant changes observed in dynamic arch index when loads were added in the range of 20% to 30%, except in unplanned gait termination. Significant maximal pressure increases were observed in the rearfoot during walking and in both the forefoot and rearfoot during planned gait termination. In addition, significant maximum pressure increases were shown in the lateral forefoot and midfoot during unplanned gait termination when weight was increased. Findings from the study indicated that excessive weight bearing could lead to a collapse of the arch structure and, therefore, increases in plantar loading. This may result in foot injuries, especially during unplanned gait termination.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Warlindo Carneiro da Silva Neto ◽  
Alexandre Dias Lopes ◽  
Ana Paula Ribeiro

Context: Running is a popular sport globally. Previous studies have used a gait retraining program to successfully lower impact loading, which has been associated with lower injury rates in recreational runners. However, there is an absence of studies on the effect of this training program on the plantar pressure distribution pattern during running. Objective: To investigate the short-term effect of a gait retraining strategy that uses visual biofeedback on the plantar pressure distribution pattern and foot posture in recreational runners. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Twenty-four recreational runners were evaluated (n = 12 gait retraining group and n = 12 control group). Intervention: Those in the gait retraining group underwent a 2-week program (4 sessions/wk, 30 min/session, and 8 sessions). The participants in the control group were also invited to the laboratory (8 times in 2 wk), but no feedback on their running biomechanics was provided. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were plantar pressure distribution and plantar arch index using a pressure platform. The secondary outcome measure was the foot posture index. Results: The gait retraining program with visual biofeedback was effective in reducing medial and lateral rearfoot plantar pressure after intervention and when compared with the control group. In the static condition, the pressure peak and maximum force on the forefoot and midfoot were reduced, and arch index was increased after intervention. After static training intervention, the foot posture index showed a decrease in the foot pronation. Conclusions: A 2-week gait retraining program with visual biofeedback was effective in lowering rearfoot plantar pressure, favoring better support of the arch index in recreational runners. In addition, static training was effective in reducing foot pronation. Most importantly, these observations will help healthcare professionals understand the importance of a gait retraining program with visual biofeedback to improve plantar loading and pronation during rehabilitation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 323-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Gonçalves Ricci Neri ◽  
André Bonadias Gadelha ◽  
Ana Luiza Matias Correia ◽  
Juscélia Cristina Pereira ◽  
Ana Cristina de David ◽  
...  

Increased plantar pressure has been found to be related with greater risk of falling. Although there is evidence suggesting that obesity is linked to foot disorders, the association between obesity and plantar pressure of older adults has been poorly investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between obesity and plantar pressure distribution and to explore its relationship with body fat distribution. Two hundred and eleven older women took part in this cross-sectional study. Body mass index was taken for obesity classification. Whole body, android, and gynoid fat percentage was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Peak plantar pressure was evaluated during gait using an Emed AT-4 pressure platform. Obese volunteers generated greater peak pressure at midfoot (187.26 kPa) compared to both normal weight (128.52 kPa, p < .001) and overweight (165.74 kPa, p < .001). Peak plantar pressure at midfoot was also greater in overweight compared to normal weight (p < .001). At forefoot, peak pressure was higher in the obese (498.15 kPa) compared to normal weight volunteers (420.41 kPa, p = .007). Additionally, whole body, android, and gynoid fat percentage were significantly associated with peak pressure at midfoot and forefoot. Therefore, clinicians dealing with falls should consider the effect of increased body weight on plantar pressure.


2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 486-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulunay Kanatli ◽  
Haluk Yetkin ◽  
Nadir Yalcin

This study included 92 patients with an accessory navicular (AN) noted on an anteroposterior roentgenography. This group was selected from 860 patients admitted to the authors' gait analysis laboratory. The medial longitudinal arch was evaluated by using an “arch index” calculated from the pressure picture obtained from a pressure distribution measurement system. The average arch index was 0.15 and there was no significant correlation between AN types and arch index. The study concluded that the presence and type of AN are not correlated with the height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot and that AN is not associated with pes planus.


2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 727-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl W. Imhauser ◽  
Nicholas A. Abidi ◽  
David Z. Frankel ◽  
Kenneth Gavin ◽  
Sorin Siegler

This study quantified and compared the efficacy of in-shoe orthoses and ankle braces in stabilizing the hindfoot and medial longitudinal arch in a cadaveric model of acquired flexible flatfoot deformity. This was addressed by combining measurement of hindfoot and arch kinematics with plantar pressure distribution, produced in response to axial loads simulating quiet standing. Experiments were conducted on six fresh-frozen cadaveric lower limbs. Three conditions were tested: intact-unbraced; flatfoot-unbraced; and flatfoot-braced. Flatfoot deformity was created by sectioning the main support structures of the medial longitudinal arch. Six different braces were tested including two in-shoe orthoses, three ankle braces and one molded ankle-foot orthosis. Our model of flexible flatfoot deformity caused the calcaneus to evert, the talus to plantarflex and the height of the talus and medial cuneiform to decrease. Flexible flatfoot deformity caused a pattern of medial shift in plantar pressure distribution, but minimal change in the location of the center of pressure. Furthermore, in-shoe orthoses stabilized both the hindfoot and the medial longitudinal arch, while ankle braces did not. Semi-rigid foot and ankle orthoses acted to stabilize the medial longitudinal arch. Based on these results, it was concluded that treatment of flatfoot deformity should at least include use of in-shoe orthoses to partially restore the arch and stabilize the hindfoot.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1450
Author(s):  
Alfredo Ciniglio ◽  
Annamaria Guiotto ◽  
Fabiola Spolaor ◽  
Zimi Sawacha

The quantification of plantar pressure distribution is widely done in the diagnosis of lower limbs deformities, gait analysis, footwear design, and sport applications. To date, a number of pressure insole layouts have been proposed, with different configurations according to their applications. The goal of this study is to assess the validity of a 16-sensors (1.5 × 1.5 cm) pressure insole to detect plantar pressure distribution during different tasks in the clinic and sport domains. The data of 39 healthy adults, acquired with a Pedar-X® system (Novel GmbH, Munich, Germany) during walking, weight lifting, and drop landing, were used to simulate the insole. The sensors were distributed by considering the location of the peak pressure on all trials: 4 on the hindfoot, 3 on the midfoot, and 9 on the forefoot. The following variables were computed with both systems and compared by estimating the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE): Peak/Mean Pressure, Ground Reaction Force (GRF), Center of Pressure (COP), the distance between COP and the origin, the Contact Area. The lowest (0.61%) and highest (82.4%) RMSE values were detected during gait on the medial-lateral COP and the GRF, respectively. This approach could be used for testing different layouts on various applications prior to production.


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