Publication details
Preliminary research of plantar pressure and time characteristics of gait
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | ATINER's Conference Paper Series FIT2012-0225, |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | http://www.atiner.gr/papers.htm |
| Field | Sport and leisure time activities |
| Keywords | walk dynamics analysis time force |
| Description | Purpose of the study is to assess plantar kinetic characteristics of adults over 18 while walking. Walking variability is both a biomechanical and an orthopedic problem. Individual techniques may influence the economy of movement or cause problems with the support or locomotive systems. The quality of walking is influenced by foot architecture and biomechanical properties of an individual as well as other factor such as body weight, muscle fatigue, the location of the body center etc. The aim of the study is to set basic representative dynamic parameters of walking which can affect walking effectiveness and economy. With the help of PEDAR mobile device, 31 adults (26 – 60 years old) were observed while walking. Selected kinetic parameters of walking have been observed. We focused on time characteristics of the walking cycle and plantar pressure while the foot contacts the floor as average and maximal plantar pressure, contact time and plantar pressure during active and passive parts of the step, area of foot contact during step. Body weight, height, and age of tested persons were recorded and BMI calculated. Laterality of lower limbs was found out through test. The physical activity assessment of the participants with a focus on utilizing walking was carried out through a questionnaire. Wilcoxon test, analysis of variance and factor analysis for statistic evaluation was used. Factor analysis revealed that the selected strength, time and area variables (n=28) which characterize the activity of the plant are possible to be reduced down to four representative parameters. In a heterogeneous group regarding age, body proportions and BMI a logical significant differences appeared for mean and maximum plantar pressure during regular walk when we divided all participants into groups with optimum weight and overweight according to BMI below or over 25 respectively. Mean value of plantar pressure during the whole course of contact was 0.8 times the body weight for both groups divided according to BMI, maximum pressure reached 1.1 times the body weight in the group with index over 25; and 1.2 times the body weight in the group with lower BMI. We found differences between right and left foot maximal plantar pressure for all group during the step (p = 0,004) and for maximal pressure between both foots during active part of step (p = 0,002), but laterality was not significant for this variable (Wilcoxon test, p=0.35). Any significant differences (p<0.05) regarding time characteristics of step were not found. For further research, it is necessary to adjust the range of observed parameters. We found difference of plantar load between right and left but the follow-up survey is necessary. |
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