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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.49-53
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the plantar pressure distribution between the affected and unaffected side in adult hemiplegia during gait with the use of a quad-cane. Methods: Thirty-four stroke patients from 34 to 83 years of age were enrolled in this study, and in random order, all patients were asked to walk at their most comfortable speed three times along a walkway with the use of quad-cane over a period of three days. Plantar pressure distribution was measured with regard to foot contact pattern and center of pressure (CoP) trajectories during the stance phase, progressing from heel-strike to toe-off. The F-scan system was used to compare the foot pressure of the affected and unaffected sides. Results: A significant reduction in the total contact area, the width of fore foot (FF) and hind foot (HF), and anterior/posterior (AP) CoP trajectory of the affected side was found. However, contact pressure of the hind foot on the affected side during walking increased when compared to that on the unaffected side. Conclusion: We demonstrated that plantar pressure distribution on the affected side of adult hemiplegia patients was generally poorer than that on the unaffected side when these patients walked with cane assistance. However, the use of a quad-cane was shown to increase contact pressure of the hind foot on the affected side because weight can be borne on the affected side during heel-strike with use of the cane.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.35-41
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• 2001

In-shoe measurement systems allow the clinician and researcher to examine the pressure parameters within the shoe. The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of plantar pressures using the Parotec system over speeds and plantar regions. Seventeen healthy subjects were recruited for the study. Sampling rate was 100 Hz, and data of six variables (pressure on medial heel, lateral heel, 1st metatarsal head, 5th metatarsal head, and great toe and total impulse) were collected in four different gait speed (1.0 m/sec, 1.5 m/sec, 2.0 m/sec, and comfortable walking speed) in each day. The result indicates fair to excellent reliability between the two day test. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranged from .693 to .979, and range of reliability was similar depending on the speed and plantar region. In most cases, data recorded by the Parotec systems provide good evidence for the reliability.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of trekking boots for assessing their functionality. Subjects participated in this study included 10 university male students who had no injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The size of all subjects was 270mm. Five models of trekking boots, most popular in Korea (A, B, C, D & E company), were selected for the test. Using the PEDAR-X system and PEDAR-X insoles, 5 different walking stages were analyzed for the foot-pressure distribution: (a) straight gait; (b) $45^{\circ}$ turn gait; (c) $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait; and (d) $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait. Results of the foot-pressure distribution and functionality on each stage were as follow; 1. Straight gait - In case of Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there was not a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. 2. $45^{\circ}$ turn gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and A company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 3. $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and C company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and C company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 4. $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait - In Max ground reaction force, Mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. Overall, five pairs of trekking shoes selected in this study showed the excellent performance in several conditions. The findings above may provide us with the important criteria for choosing trekking boots.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2007

The purpose of study was to compare plantar pressure during walking wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes. Twelve university students(height: $177.2{\pm}4.6cm$, weight: $68.4{\pm}5.8kg$, age: $26.2{\pm}1.6yrs.$) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Plantar foot pressures were evaluated using the Tekscan's pressure measurement systems while subjects walked upright position wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes in random order at a speed of 1.3 m/s. The contacting dimension, the mean plantar pressure, and the peak plantar pressure were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p<.05). As a result, the curved rear balanced shoes showed as large as 38 up to 50 % of area at the rear side of feet than the normal shoes when measuring the contact area with upright position. In the distribution of average pressure, the curved rear balanced shoes displayed fairly low pressure compared to other normal shoes in general except for one area, which is M2, and especially, the measured pressures at the both rear (M1) and middle (M5) side of feet were low and statically significant. The contact area of the curved rear balanced shoes when walking was significantly larger at the rear (M1) and fore (M6, M7) side of feet. When considering pressure distribution at walking, low pressure was detected at the rear side of feet with the curved rear balanced shoes and at the fore side of feet for other normal shoes. The results showed that the contacting dimension of the curved rear balance shoes that acts between shoes and feet was higher than the corresponding value for the normal shoes in general; therefore it would reduce the pressure to the feet by allowing the each sole of the foot on the ground evenly.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.897-904
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• 2015

Objective To investigate differences in plantar pressure distribution between a normal gait and unpredictable slip events to predict the initiation of the slipping process. Methods Eleven male participants were enrolled. Subjects walked onto a wooden tile, and two layers of oily vinyl sheet were placed on the expected spot of the 4th step to induce a slip. An insole pressure-measuring system was used to monitor plantar pressure distribution. This system measured plantar pressure in four regions (the toes, metatarsal head, arch, and heel) for three events: the step during normal gait; the recovered step, when the subject recovered from a slip; and the uncorrected, harmful slipped step. Four variables were analyzed: peak pressure (PP), contact time (CT), the pressure-time integral (PTI), and the instant of peak pressure (IPP). Results The plantar pressure pattern in the heel was unique, as compared with other parts of the sole. In the heel, PP, CT, and PTI values were high in slipped and recovered steps compared with normal steps. The IPP differed markedly among the three steps. The IPPs in the heel for the three events were, in descending order (from latest to earliest), slipped, recovered, and normal steps, whereas in the other regions the order was normal, recovered, and slipped steps. Finally, the metatarsal head-to-heel IPP ratios for the normal, recovered, and slipped steps were $6.1{\pm}2.9$, $3.1{\pm}3.0$, and $2.2{\pm}2.5$, respectively. Conclusion A distinctive plantar pressure pattern in the heel might be useful for early detection of a slip event to prevent slip-related injuries.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate a plantar pressure distribution and the trajectory of the center of pressure on double limb support and single limb support according to level surface, air cushion, and aero step. Methods : 21 healthy adults participated in this study. The plantar pressure were assessed at three different surface conditions(on the level surface, air cushion, and aero step) on double limb support and single limb support. Testing orders were selected randomly. Results : Plantar pressure distribution show a significant difference contact area 1 and contact area 3 on double limb support and single limb support. The trajectory of the center of pressure show an significant difference anteroposterior(AP), mediolateral(ML), and total displacement on double limb support and single limb support. Conclusion : Through the use of soft surface as air cushion and aero step will be using the ankle strategy. This will be to strengthen the muscles around the ankle. Consequently, should help to improve stability and coordination.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.241-244
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• 1997

23 hallux valgus patients were evaluated with clinical examinations and plantar pressure distribution measurements. A masking method for detailed plantar pressure distribution analyses was suggested. With higher grade of hallux valgus, pressure, contact length & area, and impulse on metartasus were significantly increased. Localized pressure concentration is very important in foot diseases and appropriate plantar pressure distributions should be considered on any shoe design.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2005.10a
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• pp.260-263
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• 2005

In this study, we analyzed the plantar shear stress and pressure of diabetic foot patients during walking by using in-shoe local shear force and plantar pressure measurement system. Twelve normal subjects and three diabetic foot patients with diabetic neuropathy in lateral heel were participated in this study. The center of pressure in diabetic foot patients moved more medially and directed toward 1st, 2nd metatarsal heads and hallux during late stance period, making pressure at the medial heel and 2nd metatarsal head significantly higher than in the normal. Shear stress at the heel were changed significantly in early stance and the magnitude of shear stresses in each metatarsal head were also changed. Further studies would be very helpful to design foot orthoses in patients with diabetic neuropathy or other diseases.