Static and Dynamic Plantar Pressure and Normalized Plantar Pressure Characteristics among Children, Adults, and the Elderly

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (12) ◽  
pp. 1881-1887
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Plantar Pressures ◽  
Balance Ability ◽  
Pressure Characteristics

Background: A better understanding of plantar pressure while standing and walking would help in improving balance and gait performance across different age ranges. Objective: To clarify the differences of plantar pressure while standing and walking among children, adults, and the elderly. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three participants including eleven aged 3 to 8 years, thirty aged 20 to 40 years, and twelve aged 60 to 90 years were included in the present study. Plantar pressure and related parameters while quiet standing and walking with self-selected speed were assessed. Results: In static plantar pressure, no significant differences were observed of mean different pressure and mean different contact area between dominant and non-dominant limbs among the three groups, while center of pressure (COP) displacement was shown as significantly greater between children and adults (p<0.05). For dynamic plantar pressure, no significant differences in COP velocity were found among the three groups. The elderly showed significant lower normalized maximum plantar pressure in areas of the second and third metatarsal, and internal heel compared with the young adults (p<0.05). Additionally, normalized maximum plantar pressures among children seemed to differ from adults. Conclusion: Plantar pressure characteristics could indicate that children develop gait ability in braking and propulsion phases with greater heel and toe function, while the ability of braking and propulsion declined with aging. These could reflect balance ability while standing or walking. Keywords: Foot pressure; Children; Elderly; Normalization

Influence of Textured Indoor Footwear on Posture Stability of Older Women Based on Center-of-Pressure Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 1247-1260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pui-Ling Li ◽  
Kit-Lun Yick ◽  
Sun-Pui Ng ◽  
Joanne Yip
Keyword(s):  
Older Women ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Textured Surface ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Lateral Direction

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of indoor footwear with a textured surface to improve control of balance and reduce excessive plantar pressure in older women. Background: Balance instability is a common condition in older people. Textured insoles with protrusions on the entire insole have been examined for enhancing somatosensory feedback in the elderly to improve control over balance. However, these insoles have significant challenges in distributing the plantar pressure. Textured insoles with tailored protrusions should be therefore investigated for the same purpose but provide better plantar pressure distribution. Method: A total of 24 older women have undergone both static standing and walking tests with the use of the in-shoe Pedar® system. Results: The results indicate that wearing textured indoor footwear provides a significant reduction in postural sway, particularly in the medial–lateral direction during walking. As compared to walking barefoot, the center-of-pressure trajectory when wearing the textured indoor footwear remains supported with less variance among the steps, which is statistically significant in the medial–lateral direction. A significant reduction in the peak pressure is found in the forefoot and rearfoot regions as the plantar pressure is redistributed to the midfoot regions. Conclusion: The textured surface of the insole improves balance control of older women and effectively reduces foot pressure at high pressure areas. Application: The findings enhance current understanding on textured footwear as a form of intervention associated with changes in functional impairments, therefore providing basis for footwear design in balance control.

scholarly journals Effects of orthopedic insoles on static balance of older adults wearing thick socks

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Zong-Hao Ma ◽  
Duo Wai-Chi Wong ◽  
Anson Hong-Ping Wan ◽  
Winson Chiu-Chun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Postural Sway ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Orthopedic Insoles

Background: The wearing of socks and insoles may affect the ability of the foot to detect tactile input influencing postural balance. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether (1) thick socks adversely affected the elderly postural balance and (2) orthopedic insoles could improve the elderly postural balance while wearing thick socks. Study design: Repeated-measures study design. Methods: In total, 14 healthy older adults were recruited. A monofilament test was conducted to evaluate foot plantar sensation with and without thick socks. Subjects then performed the Romberg tests under three conditions: (1) barefoot, (2) with socks only, and (3) with both socks and insoles. Postural balance was assessed by measuring the center of pressure movement during standing in each experimental condition. Results: Thick socks significantly decreased the monofilament score ( p < 0.001), suggesting reduction in ability to detect external forces. All center of pressure parameters increased significantly while wearing thick socks ( p < 0.017), implying reduction of postural stability. They then decreased significantly with the additional use of insoles ( p < 0.017). Conclusion: Previous studies have documented the changes in plantar pressure distribution with the use of orthopedic insoles. This study further suggests that such changes in contact mechanics could produce some balance-improving effects, which appears not to have been reported earlier. Clinical relevance Wearing thick socks reduces plantar pressure sensitivity and increases postural sway which may increase risk of falls. Orthopedic insoles and footwear with similar design could potentially be a cost-effective method in maintaining postural balance when wearing thick socks.

scholarly journals Smartphone Use and Postural Balance in Healthy Young Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxana Ramona Onofrei ◽  
Elena Amaricai ◽  
Oana Suciu ◽  
Vlad Laurentiu David ◽  
Andreea Luciana Rata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Metatarsal Head ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact

Maintaining an upright posture while talking or texting on the phone is a frequent dual-task demand. Using a within-subjects design, the aim of the present study was to assess the impact of a smartphone conversation or message texting on standing plantar pressure and postural balance performance in healthy young adults. Thirty-five subjects (mean age 21.37 ± 1.11 years) were included in this study. Simultaneous foot plantar pressure and stabilometric analysis were performed using the PoData system, under three conditions: no phone (control), talking on a smartphone (talk) and texting and sending a text message via a smartphone (text). Stabilometric parameters (center of pressure (CoP) path length, 90% confidence area and maximum CoP speed) were significantly affected by the use of different smartphone functions (p < 0.0001). The CoP path length and maximum CoP speed were significantly higher under the talk and text conditions when compared to the control. CoP path length, 90% confidence area and maximum CoP speed were significantly increased in talk compared to text and control. Talking on the phone also influenced the weight distribution on the left foot first metatarsal head and heel as compared with message texting. Postural stability in healthy young adults was significantly affected by talking and texting on a smartphone. Talking on the phone proved to be more challenging.

scholarly journals Balance control enhancement using sub-sensory stimulation and visual-auditory biofeedback strategies for amputee subjects

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 342-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Yih Lee ◽  
Chih-Feng Lin ◽  
Kok-Soon Soon
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Balance Control ◽  
Sensory Stimulation ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Static Balance ◽  
Balance Performance ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Sound Side ◽  
Dynamic Gait

Sub-sensory electrical or mechanical stimulation can enhance the sensitivity of the human somatosensory system to improve the balance control capabilities of elderly. In addition, clinical studies suggest that visual-auditory biofeedback can improve sensory compensation for the elderly. This study hypothesizes that the static balance and gait performance of single leg quiet standing and treadmill walking could be improved for providing proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation using sub-sensory stimulation and visual-auditory biofeedback in amputee subjects. To test this, a computerized foot pressure biofeedback sensory compensation system using sub-threshold low-level electrical stimulation combined with visual-auditory biofeedback was developed. Seven unilateral trans-tibial amputees who wore prostheses over 2 years were recruited. The subjects performed multiple single leg quiet standing trials with sub-sensory electrical stimulation applied at the quadriceps muscle during half of the trials. Static balance performance was characterized by using a Zebris motion analysis system to measure the sway distance and duration of the centre of mass on the second sacral (S2) of the subjects. In addition, multiple treadmill ambulatory trials with or without visual-auditory biofeedback was performed. Dynamic gait performance was characterized with a Zebris instrumented insole to measure the temporal responses of foot pressure sensors. Experimental results showed an improvement in three balance performance indices (Holding Time Index, HTI, Maximum Sway Distance Index, MSDI, and Average Sway Distance Index, ASDI) during single leg quiet standing by applying sub-sensory stimulation. The improvement ratio of these balance performance indices across subjects for single leg quiet standing tests resulted in 132.34% in HTI, 44.61% in MSDI, and 61.45% in ASDI. With visual-auditory biofeedback as a cue for heel contact and toe push-off condition during treadmill ambulation, the improvement of four dynamic gait performance measures (Double Support Period, DSP, Constant Time Cadence, CTC, Single Support Period, SSP, and Stance/Swing Ratio, SSR) in amputees was verified. This resulted in 7.89% in DSP (affected side), 5.09% in CTC, 16.67% in SSP (sound side), 45.30% in SSR (sound side), and 40.30% in SSR (affected side) respectively. These findings suggest that sub-threshold electrical stimulation and visual-auditory biofeedback rehabilitation strategies may be effective in compensating sensory loss and improving static balance and dynamic ambulation performance for amputees.

scholarly journals Motor strategy during postural control is not muscle fatigue joint-dependent, but muscle fatigue increases postural asymmetry

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0247395
Author(s):  
Tiago Penedo ◽  
Paula Favaro Polastri ◽  
Sérgio Tosi Rodrigues ◽  
Felipe Balistieri Santinelli ◽  
Elisa de Carvalho Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Muscle Fatigue ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Postural Asymmetry ◽  
Motor Strategy ◽  
Hip Muscle ◽  
Before And After

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ankle and hip muscle fatigue on motor adjustments (experiment 1) and symmetry (experiment 2) of postural control during a quiet standing task. Twenty-three young adults performed a bipedal postural task on separate force platforms, before and after a bilateral ankle and hip muscle fatigue protocol (randomized). Ankle and hip muscles were fatigued separately using a standing calf raise protocol (ankle fatigue) on a step and flexion and extension of the hip (hip fatigue) sitting on a chair, at a controlled movement frequency (0.5Hz), respectively. In both experiments, force, center of pressure, and electromyography parameters were measured. The symmetry index was used in experiment 2 to analyze the postural asymmetry in the parameters. Our main findings showed that muscle fatigue impaired postural stability, regardless of the fatigued muscle region (i.e., ankle or hip). In addition, young adults used an ankle motor strategy (experiment 1) before and after both the ankle and hip muscle fatigue protocols. Moreover, we found increased asymmetry between the lower limbs (experiment 2) during the quiet standing task after muscle fatigue. Thus, we can conclude that the postural motor strategy is not muscle fatigue joint-dependent and a fatigue task increases postural asymmetry, regardless of the fatigued region (hip or ankle). These findings could be applied in sports training and rehabilitation programs with the objective of reducing the fatigue effects on asymmetry and improving balance.

scholarly journals Diabetic footwear: is it an assistive technology capable of reducing peak plantar pressures in elderly patients with neuropathy?

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Faraco de Oliveira ◽  
Ana Carolina Bertoletti De Marchi ◽  
Camila Pereira Leguisamo
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Paired Sample ◽  
Plantar Pressures ◽  
Therapeutic Footwear ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Peak Plantar Pressure

Abstract Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease with high prevalence in the population in particular among the elderly. The longer time of diabetes, increased the chances of developing complications such as peripheral neuropathy, which is an important factor in the genesis of plantar lesions by changing the distribution and formation of plantar pressure peaks. Objective: Evaluate the influence of an Assistive Technology, therapeutic footwear for diabetics, in the peaks of plantar pressure of elderly. Methods: This was an experimental study of transversal type, composed by 10 elderly, diabetic, with peripheral neuropathy, using as an instrument to measure a baropodometry platform. Were measured peaks of plantar pressure, static and dynamic in three situations: barefoot, the participants' own standard footwear and with therapeutic footwear for diabetics. Data analysis by normal distribution as a single paired sample, applying the ANOVA test. Results: The use of therapeutic footwear for diabetics promoted a reduction in media of peak plantar pressure in the order of 22% in static analysis, and 31% in dynamic analysis. Conclusion: The therapeutic footwear for diabetics was able to produce significant reductions in peak plantar pressure, being more efficient than a common footwear. This effect may contribute to the prevention of injuries associated with the diabetic foot.

A Comparison of Foot Insole Materials in Plantar Pressure Relief and Center of Pressure Pattern

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Plantar Pressure ◽  
Male Subject ◽  
High Pressures ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Entire Population ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Foot Pressure ◽  
Pressure Pattern ◽  
Silicone Gel ◽  
The Mean

Aim: Insoles have been widely accepted as a front-line defense to cushion the foot, decrease foot Pressure, and reduce tissue destruction associated with repetitive high pressures in the insensate foot. In recent years, plantar pressure has widely been accepted as a vital biomechanical parameter to evaluate human walking. The distribution and magnitude of plantar pressure can provide useful information to diagnose various foot disorders. Plantar pressure measurements during standing, walking or other activities can demonstrate the Pathomechanics of the abnormal foot and yield objective measures to track disease progression1. Areas of increased plantar pressure have been clearly linked to foot pain and discomfort. Increased pressure is also responsible for skin breakdown in the denervated foot such as in Hansen's disease and diabetic neuropathy. Planter pressure was studied with the use of both insoles Silicone gel and MCR (Micro cellular Rubber). Design: A repeated measure design was followed. Purpose: The aim of the study was to check the efficiency of both these commonly prescribed insoles (MCR and silicone gel insole) in terms of plantar pressure redistribution and center of pressure pattern with MCR insole and silicone gel insole. The data was managed on an excel spreadsheet and was analyzed using the SPSS software PASW (version 17.0). Descriptive statistics (Mean and standard deviation) were computed for each study variable. The outcome variables used for analysis were static planter pressure, dynamic planter pressure and center of pressure. The planter pressure measured for eight areas of the foot, i.e the hallux, 2-5 toe, 1st meta-tarsal, 2-4 meta-tarsal, 5th meta-tarsal, mid-foot, medial heel pressure and lateral heel pressure. A total of 30 subjects were recruited for the study. Out of 30 subjects, two were female and 28 were female. A kruskal-wallis test was used to compare the difference in planter pressure (static and dynamic) and center of pressure. The mean age of male subject was 65.53±5.02 years and female was 61.00±1.41 years and for entire population, the mean age was 65.23 ± 4.99 years. The mean of BMI for male subject was 23.95±2.34 and for female were 22.43±1.50 and for entire population was 22.40 ± 1.52. On the basis of preceding data, we conclude that both the insole MCR and silicone gel insole are effective in reducing planter pressure and realigning the center of pressure pattern. In some major pressure sensitive area of foot (Halux, 1st Metatarsal head etc.) silicone gel insole reducing more pressure than MCR insole. But MCR is a good alternative insole material in reducing the plantar pressure and maintaining the COP pattern.

scholarly journals Postural Control and Sleep Quality in Cognitive Dual Tasking in Healthy Young Adults

J ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265
Author(s):  
Marina Saraiva ◽  
Joel Marouvo ◽  
Orlando Fernandes ◽  
Maria António Castro ◽  
João Paulo Vilas-Boas
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Center Of Pressure ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Quiet Standing ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Standing Posture ◽  
Poor Sleep Quality ◽  
Dual Tasking

Although sleep quality disorders can have a negative effect on postural control, studies about this subject are scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the differences in standing posture performance during dual tasking between healthy young adults with a good and poor sleep quality. Thirty-five healthy participants (23.09 ± 3.97 years) performed a postural task (standing posture single task ((ST)) and a dual task (DT): quiet standing while performing a concurrent cognitive task, while the total excursion of the center of pressure (TOTEX CoP), the displacement anterior–posterior (CoP-AP) and medial–lateral (CoP-ML), the mean total velocity displacement of CoP (MVELO CoP) and ellipse sway area (CEA) were measured with a force plate. After assessing the sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, they were divided into two groups (good ((n = 21)) and poor ((n = 14)) sleep quality) to establish comparisons. This study revealed no significant differences in TOTEX CoP, CoP-ML, CoP-AP, MVELO CoP, and CEA among both sleep quality groups. In conclusion, differences in the sleep quality (good or poor sleep quality) among young adults appear not to be a relevant factor in the CoP variation, but the DT versus ST can compromise postural control performance independently of the sleep quality.

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