Plantar pressure during gait: norm-referenced measurement for Brazilian healthy adults using the Footwork Pro® System

Abstract Introduction The measurement of plantar pressure is an important component in the evaluation of the locomotive system. However, the absence of norm-referenced measurement poses limitations to its use. Objective To verify the influence of gender on plantar pressure during gait in healthy adults and to propose norm-referenced measurement that may be used as a reference for monitoring. Methods The study included 353 healthy participants (158 females and 195 males), aged between 20 and 64 years, and with a normal foot posture. Using a pressure platform, the peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integrals were measured in three areas of the foot: forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot. Results Both indicators of plantar pressure showed no significant differences between genders (p ≤ 0.05). Higher peak plantar pressure was found in the forefoot region, while a higher pressure-time integral was found in the hindfoot region. Percentile distribution values were made available for the data set of females and males. Conclusion The available norm-referenced measurement may be used to identify pathological gait parameters, monitor the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, and detect individuals in need of referral for a more sophisticated and detailed evaluation.

摘要：足底压力（plantar pressure）测量是运动系统评估的重要组成部分，但常模参照测量（norm-referenced measurement）的缺失制约了其实际应用。目的：验证性别对健康成人步态过程中足底压力的影响，并提出可作为监测参考依据的常模参照测量方案。方法：本研究纳入353名健康受试者（女性158名、男性195名），年龄20~64岁，足部姿势正常。采用足底压力测试平台（pressure platform），对足部前足（forefoot）、中足（midfoot）、后足（hindfoot）三个区域的足底压力峰值（peak plantar pressure）与压时积分（pressure-time integrals）进行测量。结果：两类足底压力指标在性别间均未呈现显著差异（P≤0.05）。前足区域的足底压力峰值更高，而后足区域的压时积分更大。本研究提供了女性与男性受试者数据集的百分位分布值。结论：本研究提出的常模参照测量方案可用于识别病理性步态参数、监测治疗干预效果，以及甄别需要转诊接受更精细化详细评估的个体。