Pressure distribution under the right fcot of 30 male subjects was determined for expected and unexpected falls from a height of 20 am. A piezoelectric pressure distribution platform with 1000 separate force transducers (resolution 7.6 rim times 7.6 ran) was used for the measurements and an Apple 11+ microcomputer and a PDP 11/34 minicomputer were used for data collection and evaluation. A Megatek graphics computer was employed for the visual representation of the pressure data. The thirty feet were divided into the groups cavus, normal, and planus toy means of mid foot area measurements from foot contact imprints. Each group contained ten feet. Foot contact imprints frcm standing and falling were also analyzed by using linear and area measurements of forefoot, mid foot, and rear foot. A displacement transducer was employed to determine the height of the foot dorsum and its deflection during load bearing. For regional kinetic analyses all feet were divided into ten anatomical regions:​ two rearfoot, two midfoot, three metatarsal head, and three toe regions. Far the statistical evaluation of all kinetic measures, a two factor Analysis of variance was used.

Between foot groups, statistically significant differences were found between all mid foot parameters, dorsal arch height, and the dorsal arch deflection ratio. The vertical peak force analysis revealed increased values during unexpected falls, however, no differences between foot groups were found. Statistically significant differences between falling conditions were found for the regional peak pressures in five out of ten anatomical regions and for the normalized regional impulse in six out of ten regions. During unexpected falls the rear foot exhibits the largest loads whereas during the expected falls increased load bearing was seen in the lateral fore- and midfoot regions. Planus feet showed greatly increased midfbot pressures and reduced loads in the first metatarsal head regions. In the rearfoot and the first metatatarsal head regions the cavus feet exhibited higher pressures than the normal and planus feet. The relationships between normalized midfbot impulses and foot descriptor measures were established and good correlations were found between midfbot impulse and sane of the foot descriptors.

The analysis of the foot dimensions, peak pressures and regional impulses resulted in findings which help in the understanding of foot function and can be useful for the design of footwear.