• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.306-312
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of changes in foot cutaneous sensation on plantar pressure distribution during gait. Methods: Sixteen healthy young subjects participated in this experiment. All subjects performed two trials of walking under three somatosensory conditions induced by a normal facilitatory insole that provides increased plantar sensory stimulation, and application of lidocaine cream to the plantar surface of the foot to reduce the sensitivity of the soles. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used for evaluation of reduced plantar sensation. The Pedar system was used for measurement of pressure distribution at the plantar surface of the foot. Results: Pressure in the lateral midfoot area showed an increase with increasing and decreasing sensory inputs. When sensory input was increased, plantar pressure showed a decrease in the forefoot area. When sensory input was decreased, plantar pressure showed an increase in the lateral forefoot area and a decrease in the hallux area. Conclusion: By altering sensory feedback, plantar pressure distribution is changed during gait. Plantar cutaneous afferents play an important role in plantar distribution.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.77-82
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the pathway of COP and plantar foot pressure and to determine the correlation between plantar regions during the ascending and descending of a ramp. Methods: Fifteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal problems participated in our study. They were asked to walk on a level surface and on an ascending and descending ramp in their bare feet. Pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures were recorded using the Matscan system (Tekscan, Boston, USA). For pressure measurements, the plantar foot surface was divided into seven regions: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, a midfoot region, and a heel region. To determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures during walking, we used repeated measuremes ANOVA. Results: In comparison to results for a level walking, pathway of COP while ascending a ramp had a tendency to be shifted medially in the forefoot and became longer till the big toe. Pathway of COP while descending a ramp also was shifted medially, but ended in the forefoot. Plantar foot pressure of the second and third metatarsal head and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads was significantly decreased while descending the ramp. Conclusion: These results indicated that plantar foot pressure is changed while ascending and descending a ramp and demonstrated that ramp walking can affect the structure and function of the foot. Therefore, gait environment is associated with significant changes in foot characteristics, which contribute to altered plantar loading patterns during gait.

• 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.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.13-23
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of lordosis according to plantar surface compliance in patients with chronic low back pain. Thirty patients with chronic low back pain aged between 20 and 40 were assigned to 3 groups: control group, experimental groups (FHRS group, FSRH group). The lordosis was examined before and after adaptation with corresponding foam types. The results were as follows : 1. As the result of comparing lordosis before and after test of the control group which any change did not exist in plantar surface compliance, there was not a significant difference(p>0.05). 2. As the result of comparing lordosis before and after test of the FHRS group which forefoot part of plantar surface is hard and rear foot part is soft, there was the significant increase(p<0.05). 3. As the result of comparing lordosis before and after test of the FSRH group which forefoot part of plantar surface is soft and rear foot part is hard, there was the significant decrease(p<0.05). 4. As the result of comparing lordosis of the FHRS group and FSRH group, there was not a significant difference before test(p>0.05). But, there was a significant difference after test(p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 1998

The course of the sural nerve in the calf has been well documented, but there is a general lack of information concerning the distal course of the nerve. The purpose of this study was to describe the distal course of the sural nerve and its surgical implications. Seven fresh amputated specimens were dissected to show the anatomy of the sural nerve in the foot and ankle. At the level of about 10cm proximal to the plantar surface, the sural nerve coursed anteriorly and inferiorly away from the Achilles tendon. 2 to 4 lateral calcaneal branches arose. The first branch of the lateral calcaneal branches coursed along the lateral border of the Achilles tendon, and it arose at 8cm proximal to the plantar surface in 2 specimens, 12cm proximal to the plantar surface in 4 specimens, and at 12cm proximal to the plantar surface in one specimen. The main nerve trunk continued distally plantar to the peroneal tendons and divided into two terminal branches and crossed peroneus longus tendon at the level of the inferior border of the calcaneo-cuboid joint, at about 3cm(range, $2.5\sim3.0$)cm from the plantar surface. In conclusion, a longitudinal incision lateral to the Achilles tendon would cross the path of the sural nerve at about 10cm proximal to the plantar surface. When the first branch of them arise more than 10cm above the plantar surface, a logitudinal incision lateral to the Achilles tendon may be made without damage. The other lateral calcaneal branches will be cut when we make transverse incision paralled to the plantar surface. The terminal branch also may be in danger by the same transverse incision.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.1-9
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• 2017

Purpose : This study was conducted among 195 adults in their 20s. To analyze the impact of the slope types of the scapulae on the plantar surface of the foot, the average pressure (AP), the maximum pressure (MP), the average of local distribution values, and the average movement of the center of pressure (COP) of the different slope types of the scapulae were compared. Method : The anterior-posterior slopes of the scapulae were measured by comparing the slopes of the left and right sides of the scapulae based on the differences in the height and the slope of the coracoid process and the angulus inferior scapulae. Those whose left side of the scapulae had an anterior slope were categorized as type 1, and those whose right side of the scapulae had an anterior slope, as type 2. The average plantar pressure, the center of plantar pressure, the maximum plantar pressure, and local distribution values were analyzed using a plantar pressure analyzer of the FSA. Result : In terms of the AP of the left and right feet, there was no statistically significant difference both in types 1 and 2 on the left and right feet. The comparison results of the MP and the average of local distribution values of the two slope types of the scapulae showed that there was no statistically significant difference on the X-axis both in types 1 and 2 on the left and right feet, but that there was a large statistically significant difference on the Y-axis both in types 1 and 2. That is, the MP of the right foot of the left anterior slope type was located more on the hindfoot than that of the right anterior slope type, and the MP of the left foot of the left anterior slope type was located more on the hindfoot than that of right anterior slope type. Conclusion : This study can be used as fundamental data to predict differences in the location and size of the COP and changes in plantar pressure distribution depending on the slope types of the scapulae, and control the distribution for therapeutic purposes.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 1992

The distribution of the pressure between the sole of a feet and a supporting surface can reveal the information about the structure and fonction of the foot and the posural control of the whole body. In particular, the measurement of the vertical contact forces between the plantar surface of the foot and the shoe insole is of great importance to reveal the loading distributio patterns incurred from a particular shoe midsole design. In order to investigate the plantar surface pressure distribution, an insole-type sensor with a piezoelectric material is developed and tested. The present paper describes a new method to completely reduce both the shear force and pyroelectric effects that are normally caused from piezoelectric materials.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of lower extremity alignment according to plantar surface compliance in standing status. The thirty normal adults (15 men and 15 women) aged between 20 and 29 were assigned to 3 groups: control group, experimental groups (AHPS group, ASPH group). The lower extremity alignment was examined before and after adaptation with corresponding foam types. The results of this study were as follows : 1. As the result of comparing lower extremity alignment before and after test of the control group which any change did not exist in plantar surface compliance, there were not significant differences in the angle A, B, C, D, E of right and left(p>0.05). 2. As the result of comparing lower extremity alignment before and after test of the AHPS group which forefoot part of plantar surface is hard and rear foot part is soft, there were not significant differences in the angle A of right and left(p>0.05). But, there were significantly decreased in the angle B, C, D, E of right and left(p<0.05). 3. As the result of comparing lower extremity alignment before and after test of the ASPH group which forefoot part of plantar surface is soft and rear foot part is hard, there were not significant differences in the angle A of right and left(p>0.05). But, there were significantly increased in the angle B, C, D, E of right and left(p<0.05). 4. As the result of comparing lower extremity alignment of the control group, AHPS group and ASPH group, there were not significant differences in the angle A, B, C, D, E of right and left before test(p>0.05). But, there were significant differences in the angle C, D of right and left after test(p<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2009

Purpose：This study was performed for effects of gait training on treadmill and stable surface which influenced on the lower limbs muscular activity needed in gait, plantar foot pressure with hemiplegic patients caused by cerebrovascular accident. Methods：Two groups of adult hemiplegia(n=20) were allocated randomly in this study: treadmill gait training group and control group. The gait training program was provided to experimental groups for 8 weeks (5 times a week). Measurements of pre and post experiment were plantar foot pressure. For measuring muscular activation rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius were detected. Results：The results of this study showed that in comparison of pre and post changes of gait training, the treadmill gait training group has noticeable changes than other groups in activity of rectus femoris and tibialis anterior, the control group revealed statistically significant differences in plantar foot pressure Toe2-5, M1, M3, M5, MF area, activity of gastrocnemius. Conclusion：These results mean gait training resulted by treadmill, stable surface provides effective muscle activation and plantar foot pressure with stroke.