Association between the levels of physical activity and plantar pressure in 6-14-year-old children

Abstract

Background The main purpose of the study was to determine whether lower levels of physical activity were associated with higher plantar pressure generated under each foot. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 641 children aged 6–14 years (agemean ± SD = 9.7 ± 2.4 years; heightmean ± SD = 143.6 ± 15.3 cm, weightmean ± SD = 37.6 ± 13.4 kg; body-mass indexmean ± SD = 17.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2; 44.2% girls). We used EMED –XL pressure platform to measure force time integral, pressure-time integral, contact-time and contact area, peak plantar pressure and mean plantar pressure of the right and the left foot during the gait analysis. The level of physical activity was measured by using The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ–C). The associations were calculated by using generalized estimating equations with linear regression models. Results Lower levels of physical activity were associated with higher force- and pressure-time integrals, longer contact time and higher peak and mean plantar pressures in both feet. Conclusion Our study shows that the level of physical activity is strongly and inversely associated with plantar pressure in a sample of 6–14 year olds.

The Impact of Overweight and Obesity on Plantar Pressure in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review

“…There is a variability of foot structure and plantar pressure depending on age and type of determination (static or dynamic) [ 12 ], but also depending on the number of assessments according to age group [ 13 ] or the type and level of physical activity. In children and adolescents, a strong inverse correlation was reported between the plantar pressure and the level of physical activity [ 14 ].…”

Comparison of plantar pressure distribution in underweight, normal, overweight, and obese adolescents: A cross-sectional study evaluation of plantar pressure in adolescents

“…7 The changes in plantar pressure distribution cause losses in support and flexibility characteristics of the foot in functional activities such as walking, running, or standing. 8,9…”

“…7 The changes in plantar pressure distribution cause losses in support and flexibility characteristics of the foot in functional activities such as walking, running, or standing. 8,9 Plantar pressure assessment is one of the current measurements in understanding how body weight is transferred to the foot and to observe how the foot is shaped under load. 10,11 Some studies showed changes in both dynamic and static plantar pressures in functional changes in foot structure in obese children and adolescents.…”

Short-term effects of carrying a school bag on the distribution of force and plantar pressure during walking of children of different levels of physical activity

“…These changes are reflected in a decrease in speed and stride length, and an increase in the duration of the double phase of support, increased stride frequency, and reduced swing time (9,13). In children and adolescents, there is a strong inverse correlation between plantar pressure and physical activity levels (14,15). Assessment of plantar pressure may signal different postural changes in feet related to foot-level forces while standing and walking in both healthy subjects and various pathologies like obesity.…”