• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.439-446
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• 1997

We undertook this study to determine the plantar pressure distribution characteristics of hallux valgus, major increasing foot disease. Twenty three valgus Patients were evaluated with clinical examinations, radiologic studies and dynamic plantar pressure distribution measurements. The present study also suggested a masking method for detailed analyses on plantar pressure distribution measurements. With higher grade of hallux valgus, pressure, contact area, and impulse on metartasus are significantly increased Pressure concentration is very important in foot diseases and an approximate plantar pressure distribution should be considered on any shoe design.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to assess the peak plantar pressure distribution under foot areas according to the height of heel lifts in obese adults and non-obese adults during walking. Thirty-one participants volunteered for this experiment. The average body mass index (BMI) value of the fourteen subjects in the obese group was $26.5{\pm}1.4kg/m^2$ (from 25.1 to 29.3 $kg/m^2$), and of seventeen subjects in the non-obese group was $20.0{\pm}1.1kg/m^2$ (from 18.7 to 22.7 $kg/m^2$). The subject ambulated while walking in the sneakers, walking with 2 cm heel lifts, and walking with 4 cm heel lifts in the shoes. We measured the peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3~4th, and 5th metatarsal head (MTH), mi foot, and heel using F-scan system. The obese group had significantly higher peak plantar pressure under all foot areas than the non-obese group regardless of the height of heel lifts (p<.05). The peak plantar pressure under the 5th MTH and heel was significantly decreased, also the peak plantar pressure under hallux, 1st, and 2nd MTH was significantly increased according to the height of heel lifts in the obese group and non-obese group (p<.05), We proposed that individuals with heel lifts in shoes should be careful, as there is high plantar pressure under the forefoot.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.15-22
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of Flexi-bar exercise on plantar pressure and Center of Pressure in a standing position. Design: Single group pre-post test design Methods: Thirty healthy adult participants aged 20 to 35 years old and no recent musculoskeletal injuries were included in this single-group pre-post design study. Plantar pressure and COP data were collected using the WinTrack system before and after Flexi-bar exercise. Participants performed Flexi-bar exercises in both anterior-posterior and lateral directions for 30 seconds each. Results: The results revealed significant changes in plantar pressure and COP after Flexi-bar exercise. The support area of the left foot significantly increased (p<0.05), and a significant decrease in mean pressure was observed in the right foot (p<0.05). The total COP path length and area significantly decreased (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in COP velocity along the X and Y axes (p<0.05). These findings suggest that Flexi-bar exercise can enhance plantar pressure distribution and COP movement patterns, contributing to improved balance ability. Conclusion: Flexi-bar exercise, performed in a standing position, has the potential to improve plantar pressure and COP characteristics. This exercise may serve as a valuable tool for enhancing balance ability. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and sustainability of these improvements.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 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
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2013

The first purpose was to identify the plantar pressure distributions (peak pressure, pressure integral time, and contact area) during level walking, and stair ascent and descent in asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (AFF). The second purpose was to investigate whether peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict peak pressure during stair walking by identifying correlations between the peak pressures of level walking and stair walking. Twenty young adult subjects (8 males and 12 females, age $21.0{\pm}1.7$ years) with AFF were recruited. A distance greater than 10 mm in a navicular drop test was defined as flexible flatfoot. Each subject performed at least 10 steps during level walking, and stair ascent and descent. The plantar pressure distribution was measured in nine foot regions using a pressure measurement system. A two-way repeated analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in the three dependent variables with two within-subject factors (activity type and foot region). Linear regression analysis was conducted to predict peak pressure during stair walking using the peak pressure in the metatarsal regions during level walking. Significant interaction effects were observed between activity type and foot region for peak pressure (F=9.508, p<.001), pressure time integral (F=5.912, p=.003), and contact area (F=15.510, p<.001). The regression equations predicting peak pressure during stair walking accounted for variance in the range of 25.7% and 65.8%. The findings indicate that plantar pressures in AFF were influenced by both activity type and foot region. Furthermore the findings suggest that peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict the peak pressure data during stair walking. These data collected for AFF can be useful for evaluating gait patterns and for predicting pressure data of flexible flatfoot subjects who have difficulty performing activities such as stair walking. Further studies should investigate plantar pressure distribution during various functional activities in symptomatic flexible flatfoot, and consider other predictors for regression analysis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week ProBody massage program on body alignment and plantar pressure balance in middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases. Method: The subjects of this study were 20 middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases in B Metropolitan City who participated in an 8-week ProBody massage program conducted twice a week. Physical characteristics (height, weight, and body mass index), body alignment, and plantar pressure were assessed before and after the experiment. Results: The 20 middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases who underwent the ProBody massage program showed positive changes in physiological characteristics, body alignment, and plantar pressure balance. Conclusion: Consequently, the 8-week ProBody massage program was suggested to be effective for improving and preventing postural imbalance in middle-aged men with musculoskeletal diseases. The ProBody massage program could also be utilized to improve the body alignment and plantar pressure balance in middle-aged women with musculoskeletal diseases.

• 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.

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

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.489-494
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• 2013

Objective: This study compared the effects of streamlined shoes on dynamic gait and foot plantar pressure in healthy young adults. Background: With the importance of ankle and lower extremity mechanism, streamlined shoes are contributing to a static gait factors. However, the study of dynamic gait factor is still insufficient. Method: Sixty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental group(n=30) and control(n=30), respectively. The experimental group performed streamlined shoes, whereas the control group applied usual shoes. Main outcome measurements were assessed contact time, step length and foot plantar pressure using gait analysis with the treadmill. Independent t-test was used to compare the both groups. Results: Compared with control group, contact time of forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot decreased significantly in experimental group(p<.05), Step length increased significantly in experimental group(p<.05). Foot plantar pressure of midfoot and hindfoot increased significantly in experimental group(p<.05), whereas that of forefoot did not show significantly in experimental group(p>.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that streamlined shoes was more effective than usual shoes in dynamic gait change including contact time and step length and foot plantar pressure in healthy young adults. Application: The results of streamlined shoes might help to control for the gait of industrial workers.