• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 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
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to analyze how the upright body type exercise program affected body balance and record of archers. This study aimed to prove the effectiveness of upright body type exercise, on this basis, in enhancing the performance of archery players. Method: A total of 14 archers (7 men and 7 women) in B Metropolitan City who had ${\geq}4years$ of career in archery and were given explanation of its contents and purpose before giving spontaneous consent to the experiment were enrolled in the study. The upright body type exercise program was implemented thrice a week for 12 weeks, with higher exercise intensity with time. A resistive pressure sensor, Gaitview AFA-50, was used to measure the foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information concerning variation in posture stability and weight shift in dynamic balance of foot plantar pressure in shooting and static balance of plantar pressure with the eyes open and closed and the change in archery record accompanying the change in body balance. Results: As for the differences in foot plantar pressure between before and after participation in the upright body type exercise program, there was no significant difference in static balance of foot plantar pressure with the eyes open, and there was statistically significant difference at the ${\alpha}=.05$ significance level in static balance of foot plantar pressure with the eyes closed or in dynamic balance of foot plantar pressure in shooting. There was statistically significant difference at the ${\alpha}=.05$ significance level in archery record. Conclusion: The upright body type exercise program had positive effects on static and dynamic balance of foot plantar pressure by allowing archers to experience less body sway and physical imbalance in shooting with closed eyes and positive effects on archery record. Thus, the program is expected to help archers correct their posture and perform better.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the gait parameter and plantar foot pressure of adults with Down syndrome(DS) during walking in order to provide data for developing evidence-based deficit or common rehabilitation strategies. Method : 15 participants with DS(12 men, 3 women; age $26.06{\pm}4.47$) and 15 healthy subjects(12 men, 3 women; age $25.33{\pm}3.43$) were matched age. They walked at self selected speeds on a GAITRite system and RS-scan system, and had the following measurements done: cadence, stride length, step width, foot angle, percent stance, percent double support, and plantar foot pressure in 10 areas of the foot. Results : In comparison of gait parameter(cadence, stride length, step width, foot angle, percent stance, and percent double support) between adults with DS and healthy subjects, there was significant differences(p<.05). Regarding plantar foot pressure during gait with or without DS, there were statisically significant differences in the area of Toes 1-5, Metatasal 1-4, Midfoot, and Heel(Medial and lateral)(p<.05). Conclusion : Our data show that DS walk with a less physiolosical gait pattern and plantar foot pressure than healthy subjects. Based on our results, DS patients need targeted rehabilitation and exercise strategies.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Our study sought to investigate differences in plantar foot pressure as a function of type of pack carried and of changing weight during gait and stance. Methods: Subjects were 40 students with no disabilities. Plantar foot pressure was measured with different types of packs carried and with changing weight of the pack during both gait and stance and while changing feet. During stance while carrying a satchel on the shoulder caused a disproportionate change in plantar foot pressure. An even great imbalance occurred for plantar foot pressure during gait. Results: Using a satchel can influence diseases such as scoliosis that are caused by unbalanced muscle activation and by a disproportionate distribution of the weight of the body. Conclusion: Knowing how to use a pack correctly and how to appropriately adjust the weight of bag should be taught.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2002

Foot ulceration results in substantial morbidity in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship of plantar foot pressures during walking to plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease. The subjects were recuruited from two Welfare Clinic for Hansen's disease in Wonju and Uiwang city. Ten subjects (5 females, 5 males) with plantar ulceration and a mean age of 63 years were evaluated in this study. The mean duration of Hansen's disease in these subjects was 30 years. Plantar pressures were measured during self-selected comfortable walking speed by using MatScan system. Three subjects had plantar ulceration under the first metatarsal head. Five subjects had plantar ulceration under the second and third metatarsal head. Two subjects had plantar ulcers under the fifth metatarsal head. Eight of 10 subjects had plantar ulceration at highest pressure point that measured during walking. This result suggests that the abnormal high plantar pressure could be related factor to plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease. Also the foot pressure measurement may be useful to evaluate the risk of plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.224-228
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The most common cause of plantar ulceration is an excessive plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Foot orthosis and therapeutic footwear have been used to decrease the plantar pressure and prevent the plantar ulceration in in diabetes patients. We investigated whether protective sock with functional insoles reduce plantar pressure while walking in 17 diabetes patients. Methods: An in-shoe measurement device was used to measure the peak plantar pressure while walking. Peak plantar pressure data were collected while walking under two conditions: 1) wearing diabetic sock and 2) wearing the protective sock with functional insoles. Each subject walked 3 times in 10-m corridor under three conditions, and data were collected in 3 steps in the middle of corridor with in right and left feet, respectively. Pared t-test was used to compare the peak plantar pressures in three plantar areas under these two conditions. Results: The protective sock with functional insoles significantly reduced the peak plantar pressure on the lateral rearfoot, but significantly increased the peak plantar pressure on the middle forefoot, and medial midfoot (p<0.05). However, there were not significant in medial and lateral forefoot, lateral midfoot, and medial rearfoot between diabetic sock and the protective sock conditions (p>0.05). Conclusion: The protective sock with functional insoles reduced plantar pressures in the rearfoot and supported the medial longitudinal arch. However, it is necessary to change the position of metatarsal pad in the insole design of forefoot area to prevent diabetic foot ulceration.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.479-486
• /
• 2011

This study determined the effects of the height and the quality of the material of popular heel-up insole on mean plantar foot pressure during walking. Seven healthy college students who are studying at S university in Busan were as participants in this study. After sufficiently explaining about the research to the subjects before the experiment, mean plantar foot pressures were examined using F-Scan Pressure Measure System 5.23 for the gait with shoes inserted insole and the data were compared among the height and the quality of material of insoles. In the result, there was a difference significantly in the mean plantar foot pressure followed the height of insoles both left and right. Especially, mean plantar foot pressure in left indicated significantly lower in 3 cm and 5 cm insoles than in 0 cm and 1 cm insoles. Also mean plantar foot pressure in right showed significantly lower in 3 cm and 5 cm insoles than in 0 cm, and indicated significantly lower in 5 cm insoles than in 1 cm and 3 cm insoles. The mean plantar foot pressure followed the quality of the material of insoles were different significantly. In left, the mean plantar foot pressure of urethane poly-acetyl insole was lower significantly than urethane poly-acetyl inserted air insole, power-gel insole and jelly insole. And the mean plantar foot pressure of urethane poly-acetyl insole was lower significantly than power-gel insole and jelly insole in right. We showed that 3 cm and 5 cm insoles in the height of insoles and Urethane poly-acetyl insole in the quality of material were suitable to reduce a fatigue which is felt in plantar foot during the walking.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.25-29
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two different lifting posture on the plantar foot pressure, force and COP(center of pressure) trajectory path during object lifting. Fourteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal disorders were instructed to lift with two postures(stoop and squat) and two object weights(empty box and 10 kg box). Plantar foot pressures, forces and COP trajectory path were recorded by the F-mat system(Tekscan, Boston, USA) during object lifting with barefoot. Plantar foot surface was defined as seven regions for pressure measurement; two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region and one heel region. Paired t-test was used to compare the outcomes of peak pressure and maximum force with different two lifting postures and two object weights. Plantar peak pressure and maximum force under hallux was significantly greater in squat posture than stoop posture during the two different boxes lifting(p<.05). During the empty box lifting, maximum force under lessor toes was significantly less and plantar peak pressure under second metatarsal region was significantly greater in squat than stoop(p<.05). Maximum force under heel was significantly less in squat than stoop posture during 10kg box lifting(p<.05). Finally, COP trajectory path was significantly greater in squat than stoop(p<.05). These findings confirm that there are significantly change in the structure and function of the foot during the object lifting with different posture. Future studies should focus on the contribution of both structural and functional change to the development of common foot problems in adults.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.197-204
• /
• 2009

It bas been hypothesized that foot ulceration might be internally initiated. Current instruments which merely allow superficial estimate of plantar loading acting on the foot, severely limit the scope of many biomechanical/clinical studies on this issue. Recent studies have suggested that peak plantar pressure may be only 65% specific for the development of ulceration. These limitations are at least partially due to surface pressures not being representative of the complex mechanical stress developed inside the subcutaneous plantar soft-tissue, which are potentially more relevant for tissue breakdown. This study established a three-dimensional and nonlinear finite element model of a human foot complex with comprehensive skeletal and soft-tissue components capable of predicting both the external and internal stresses and deformations of the foot. The model was validated by experimental data of subject-specific plantar foot pressure measures. The stress analysis indicated the internal stresses doses were site-dependent and the observation found a change between 1.5 to 4.5 times the external stresses on the foot plantar surface. The results yielded insights into the internal loading conditions of the plantar soft-tissue, which is important in enhancing our knowledge on the causes of foot ulceration and related stress-induced tissue breakdown in diabetic foot.