• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to find the effect of rear foot wedge angle on peak plantar pressures on the forefoot during walking. Twenty normal healthy subjects (10 female, 10 male) were recruited. Peak plantar pressure was measured using pressure distribution platforms (MatScan system) in medial forefoot (under the first, second metatarsal head) and lateral forefoot (under the third, fourth, fifth metatarsal head). The subjects walked at the comfortable velocity under seven conditions; bare footed, $5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$ and $15^{\circ}$ wedges under the medial and lateral sides of the hindfoot. The three averaged peak plantar pressures were collected at each condition at stance and toe off phases. The results showed that a significant increase in lateral forefoot plantar peak pressure investigated in the medial wedge and a significant decrease in lateral forefoot plantar peak pressure investigated in lateral wedge at stance phase (p<.05). These results suggest that rear foot wedge may be useful to modify the peak plantar pressure on the forefoot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.31 no.2 s.161
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• pp.258-268
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• 2007

The purpose of this research is to develop functional midsole that can restrain the heightening of plantar pressure in forefoot pressure so as to develop high-heeled shoes that can lessen foot ailments among women. The pumps shoes used for the research were of the same pumps type last. The variant was heel height, 3cm, 6cm, and 9cm, and the shoes were made in both normal midsole and functional midsole. The variant was applied to investigate the changes of foot pressure on forefoot and hindfoot according to heel height.'Heel Cup' was chosen for modification of functional midsolepumps type. to enlarge contact area in hindfoot, and 'Heel Posting Pad' was attached under sustentaculum tali to suppress the weight moving to forefoot pressure. If such functional parts are developed and used, it is possible to lessen the amount of Pmax or Impulse imposed by high-heeled pumps type on forefoot pressure. This can greatly lessen foot ailments, largely caused by high-heeled shoes, among women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.434-438
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of calcaneal taping on peak plantar pressure of rearfoot and forefoot while walking. Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects with normal feet participated in this study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) no disturbance of gait and foot pain, (2) normal range of motion of ankle joint, (3) no foot deformity. Pedoscan was used for recording of plantar pressure data during walking. The participants walked along a 12-m walkway before and after application of calcaneal taping. The plantar pressure gait was measured 3 times under barefoot and calcaneal taping conditions randomly at a speed practiced with the metronome during gait. The peak plantar pressure data were calculated for medial and lateral areas of the rearfoot and forefoot. The paired t-test was used to determine significant differences in peak plantar pressure of rearfoot and forefoot before and after application of calcaneal taping. A p-value less than 0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: The calcaneal taping resulted in statistically significant decreases in peak plantar pressure of the rearfoot (medial side: p=0.03; lateral side: p=0.01). However, there were no significant changes in peak plantar pressure of the forefoot (medial side: p=0.45; lateral side: p=0.40). Conclusion: The calcaneal taping is recommended to reduce plantar pressure of the rearfoot in weight-bearing activities in subjects with plantar heel pain caused by atrophy of the fat pad.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.43-47
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• 2015

Background : Many factors affect foot and ankle biomechanics during walking, including gait speed and anthropometric characteristics. This study examined the effect of walking speed on peak plantar pressure during the walking. Method : Thirty two normal healthy subjects (16 men, 16 women) were recruited. Peak plantar pressure was investigated using pressure distribution platforms (Pedoscan system) under the hallux heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones, and heel. Result : The results also suggest that slow walking speeds may decrease forefoot peak plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy who have a high risk of skin breakdown under the forefoot(p<0.05). Conclusion : The results also suggest that slow walking speeds may decrease forefoot peak plantar pressure in patients with restricted low extremity range of motion who have a high risk of skin breakdown under the forefoot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.147-154
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study examined the ability of experimental socks combined with a functional insole to reduce plantar foot pressure in healthy subjects. METHODS: The study enrolled 15 subjects. An in-shoe measurement device was used to measure the peak plantar pressure while walking. The peak forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot plantar pressure data were collected under two conditions: the subjects were wearing their own socks and while they were wearing the experimental socks. The paired t-test was used to determine the differences in peak plantar pressure between the two conditions at all three positions. RESULTS: Wearing the experimental socks resulted in a significantly higher peak plantar pressure in the medial forefoot and midfoot areas than wearing one's own socks (p<.05), and also in significantly lower peak plantar pressure in the medial and lateral hindfoot (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences of peak plantar pressure between experimental and own socks in middle and lateral forefoot (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The experimental socks combined with a functional insole decreased plantar pressure in the hindfoot and supported the medial longitudinal arch. However, it is necessary to change the design and material of the forefoot area in the functional insole to prevent foot ulcer at that location in people with diabetes mellitus.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2024

Background: Single-leg squat (SLS)s are commonly used as assessment tool and closed kinetic exercises are useful for assessing performance of the lower extremities. Pronated feet are associated with foot pressure distribution (FPD) during daily activities. Objects: To compare the FPD during SLSs between groups with pronated and normal feet. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 participants (15 each in the pronated foot and control groups) are recruited in this study. The foot posture index was used to distinguish between the pronated foot and control groups. The Zebris FDM (Zebris Medical GmbH) stance analysis system was used to measure the FPD on the dominant side during a SLS, which was divided into three phases. A two-way mixed-model ANOVA was used to identify significant differences in FPD between and within the two groups. Results: In the hallux, the results of the two-way mixed-model ANOVAs revealed a significant difference between the group and across different phases (p < 0.05). The hallux, and central forefoot were significantly different between the group (p < 0.05). Moreover, significant differences across different phases were observed in the hallux, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, and rearfoot (p < 0.05). The post hoc t-tests were conducted for the hallux and forefoot central regions. In participants with pronated foot, the mean pressure was significantly greater in hallux and significantly lower, in the central forefoot during the descent and holding phases. Conclusion: SLSs are widely used as screening tests and exercises. These findings suggest that individuals with pronated feet should be cautious to avoid excessive pressure on the hallux during the descent-to-hold phase of a SLS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.71-76
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• 2010

Purpose: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of a Rollator on plantar pressure and foot balance during gait in older adults. Methods: Twenty consecutive subjects (8 men, 12 women; age: $69.9{\pm}8.9$) had the following measurements done: plantar pressure in 10 areas of the foot, foot balance including heel rotation, foot balance, forefoot balance, medial forefoot balance, and meta loading during gait with or without a Rollator. Results: Significant differences in plantar pressure were observed in the areas of toes 2-5 or etatarsal areas 1, 4, 5 during gait with and without a Rollator. There were no significant differences in other areas of the foot. Regarding foot balance during gait with or without a Rollator, there were statistically significant differences in heel rotation, forefoot balance, medial forefoot balance, and meta loading. Conclusion: For older adults, the use of a Rollator can decrease plantar pressure and increase foot balance in various foot areas.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of forefoot rocker shoes equipped with a metatarsal bar on lower extremity muscle activity and plantar pressure distribution. Ten healthy women in the age of twenties were participated in this study as the subjects. All subjects walked on a treadmill(Gait Trainer, BIODEX, USA) wearing normal shoes and metatarsal bar shoes, during which the plantar pressure distribution and muscle activity were measured. Using Pedar-X system(Novel Gmbh, Germany), the plantar pressure was measured for six regions of the foot: forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot, 1st metatarsal, 2-3th metatarsal, and 4-5th metatarsal, and for each sub-region, 4 features such as maximum force, contact area, peak pressure, and mean pressure were analyzed based on the plantar pressure. EMG(Electromyography) activity was measured by attaching surface electrodes to the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medial head, and magnitude of muscle contraction was analyzed in IEMG(Integrated EMG) value. The results show that the maximum force, contact area, peak pressure, and mean pressure in the midfoot all increased while maximum force, peak pressure, contact area, mean pressure in the 1st metatarsal and 2-3th metatarsal all decreased when wearing functional shoes. Also, muscle activities in the four muscles were all decreased when wearing the functional shoes. This paper suggests that forfoot rocker shoes equipped with a metatarsal bar can help disperse the high pressure and absorb the shock to the foot as well as give positive influence on gait pattern and postural stability by reducing muscle fatigue during walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-119
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• 2004

To enhance our understanding of the loads on the foot during treadmill running, we have used a pressure-sensitive insole system to determine pressure, rate of loading and impulse distributions on the plantar surface during treadmill running, both in minimally cushioned footwear and in cushioned shoes. This report includes pressure, rate of loading, impulse and contact time data from a study of ten subjects running on a treadmill at 4.0m/s. Among heel-toe runners, the highest peak pressures and highest rates of loading were observed under the centre of the heel and in the medial forefoot. The arch regions were only lightly loaded. Contact time was greater in the forefoot than in the heel. Two-thirds of the impulse recorded during the step was the result of forces applied through the forefoot, mostly in the region of the metatarsal heads. The distribution of loads in the shoe suggests that the load distributing properties of the cushioning system are most important in the centre of the heel, under the metatarsal heads and great toe. Shock attenuation is primarily required under the centre of the heel and to lesser extent under the metatarsal heads. Some energy dissipation may be desirable in the heel region because it causes shock to be absorbed with less force. All the 'propulsive' effort is applied through the forefoot. Therefore, this region should as resilient as possible.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2024

A plantar pressure mat with visual notifications was developed to confirm whether individuals can effectively balance themselves and correct imbalances. The sensor-embedded mat was made with a commercial yoga mat, and was tested on seven working women in their 30s to determine plantar pressure distribution when standing and squatting, and if they could recognize and correct imbalances with visual feedback. The study found that visual notifications significantly changed the plantar pressure ratio of the forefoot and hindfoot, as well as the left and right foot plantar pressure ratio. Without notifications, the center of gravity was more concentrated in the rear foot than the forefoot in both standing and squatting positions. Visual notifications showed that the center of gravity, which was largely focused on the rear foot, was distributed to the forefoot, resulting in a more evenly distributed center of gravity throughout the sole. For the change in left and right plantar pressure, the weight that was largely loaded on the left side was distributed to the right foot through the visual notification mat, confirming a more balanced plantar pressure.