Investigation of plantar pressures in overweight and non-overweight children with a neutral foot posture

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine differences in dynamic plantar pressure and contact area in a cohort of overweight and non-overweight children. This study also sought to determine whether total foot contact area correlated with average peak plantar pressure measurements. A non-experimental matched subject designed was conducted on 20 participants. A plantar pressure mapping system was used to acquire plantar pressures. Assessment included dynamic plantar pressure and contact area of 10 overweight (age 9.6 ± 1.4 years; BMI 26 ± 6) and 10 non-overweight (age 9.6 ± 1.6 years; BMI 16 ± 2) children with a neutral foot type determined by Foot Posture Index. Subjects were matched for age, height and gender. Results: The study identified a significantly larger foot contact area (p 0.000) and higher peak plantar pressures under the heel (p 0.011), the 2nd – 4th Metatarsophalangeal Joint region (MPJs) (p 0.000) and 1st MPJ (p 0.050) in overweight children when compared to their matched non-overweight participants. A strong positive relationship was reported between peak plantar pressure and foot contact area. Conclusion: This study has identified significantly higher plantar pressure differences and a larger contact area in overweight children when compared to controls.