The Relationship of Foot Types to Pressure Distribution Patterns of the Forefoot During Gait

Date of Award

Spring 4-1996

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Rehabilitation Sciences

Program/Concentration

Physical Therapy

Committee Director

Martha Walker

Committee Member

John L. Echternach

Committee Member

George Maihafer

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.P45 F36

Abstract

Pressure distribution under the foot has been considered a useful indicator in the treatment of foot problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between foot types and pressure patterns under the forefoot. Fifty-four healthy subjects (19 males, 35 females, mean age=27 years, S0=4, range=21-39) participated in this study. A BTE pedobarograph was used to record pressure distribution under the foot during barefoot walking. Foot types were classified as neutral, pronated, and supinated. Pressure distribution under the forefoot was classified as medial, central, and lateral patterns. The medial pattern had the highest peak pressure under the first metatarsal head or under the first and second metatarsal heads. The central pattern had the highest pressure under the second and/or third metatarsal heads. The lateral pattern had the highest peak pressure under the three lateral metatarsal heads. A significant relationship between foot type and pressure pattern was demonstrated (p< 0.05). A post hoc Lambda asymmetric value of 0.02 was obtained. This study concluded that there is a weak relationship between foot types and pressure patterns under the forefoot. One cannot use the foot type to predict the pressure distribution pattern under the forefoot. Results suggest that there are other factors which affect the pressure distribution under the forefoot.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/bdnt-0538

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