Plantar Pressure Distribution Measurement During Barefoot Walking: Normal Values and Predictive Equations

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Abstract

This study was conducted in order to establish normal pressure values for comparison to a pathological sample, and to construct predictive models of pressure data. A 1,000 element piezoceramic pressure platform was used to collect plantar pressure data from 60 male subjects, 40 to 81 years of age. Subjects were age and gender matched to a previously completed pilot study of diabetic subjects. Three trials of data were collected from one foot of each subject during two conditions: (a) first step onto the platform from a standing position, and (b) mid-gait step onto the platform. Walking speed for the mid-gait collection was kept within a range of 1.3 m/s (+OR-) 2%. The regional peak pressures and impulses were determined from the data collected. Physical measurements were taken from each subject and incorporated in regression analyses. These measurements included body weight, body height, foot width, foot length, first ray mobility, arch index, percent body fat , and age.

Body weight, arch index, and body height were the strongest predictor variables for regional plantar peak pressure and impulse of the variables used in this study. The best predictive ability was for the arch region impulse equation for both conditions (first step and mid-gait). Equations for the ball regions were able to explain approximately 30% of the variability of the value being predicted. Although the regression equations for the arch, ball, and toe regional peak pressures and impulses provided only limited predictive abilities, they represent the first attempt to predict pressure from other parameters.

The regional peak pressures and impulse values provide a data base of normal values for the first step condition and for the mid-gait condition. The upper limit for normal males who are 40 years or older can be obtained for each region and both conditions from this data base. Based on the 95% confidence limits, the upper limit of normal over all regions would be 519 kPa for peak pressure and 33% for impulse. These values should serve as a guide to those investigating plantar pressures in pathological populations.

In general, results suggest that inference from first step data to mid-gait data is feasible using ratio relationships. For seven of the ten anatomical regions, the peak pressures were slightly higher during mid-gait than during first step collection. The average peak pressure over all regions was 1.1 times higher during the mid-gait collection. The impulse values were higher during first step for the medial midfoot region, and also higher during mid-gait for the second and lateral toe regions. In this respect, the impulse values were slightly more comparable between the two conditions than the peak pressures.

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Cited By (2)

Year	Entry
1997	Morag E. Structural and Functional Factors That Determine Regional Peak Pressures Under the Foot During Walking [PhD thesis]. State College, PA: Pennsylvania State University; May 1997.
1992	Chen H. The Correlation Between Plantar Pressure Distribution and Shoe Comfort [Master's thesis]. Calgary, AB: University of Calgary; December 1992.