Development of a quantitative assessment system for correlation analysis of footprint parameters to postural control in children

Abstract

It is known that neurological impairments impact postural stability, but few studies have observed the biomechanical influence of foot structure on balance. The aim of this study was to develop an integrated device for investigating the relationship between static balance and the foot structure, derived from a footprint image, under clinical tests of sensory interactions. Quantitative analysis of the footprint image acquired during balanced standing was developed as an indirect measure of the longitudinal arch, an important structural component of the foot. A data pool was collected from 64 children, 32 children from each of two age groups (4-5 years old versus 8-10 years old). Six common footprint parameters derived from the footprint angle or contact area were used to investigate the relationship between footprint parameters and postural stability. Postural balance ability was evaluated by analyzing sway area in posturography under visual or somatosensory confliction conditions. The footprint parameters, derived from the footprint image, inter-correlated well with each other (p < 0.01). The relationships between footprint parameters and sway area were correlated only for younger children under visually deprived (eye close) and cutaneous unreliable (standing on compliant foam) conditions. This implies that the correlations between footprint parameters and sway area are very subtle which can only be observed in unreliable visual and somatosensory conditions of younger children. In addition, younger children with a lower arch height would have a smaller sway area and better posture control which might result from more cutaneous somatosensation or a flexible biomechanical structure in low arch feet during conditioned static standing.

Tek ayak üzerinde duruşta postural salınım hızının ayak postur indeksi, ayak büyüklüğü ve plantar basınç değerleri ile tahmini

“…Whilst controversy regarding the effect of foot posture on balance measures has previously been demonstrated, [1,2,6] our findings revealed that the prone feet have increased sway velocity of COG in the US-EC condition. In one of the three studies, [6] a balance test with compliant surface resulted in increased COG sway velocity in young children with feet with less plantar contact to the supporting surface.…”

“…In one of the three studies, [6] a balance test with compliant surface resulted in increased COG sway velocity in young children with feet with less plantar contact to the supporting surface. A second study has also suggested that feet with less plantar contact area have larger COG sway because of absence of medial block, or less plantar cutaneous sensory information.…”

“…In the supine foot, large COG sway patterns were detected as explained by the absence of the medial block. [1,6] On the other hand, a pronated foot with hypermobile characteristics was associated with less stability compared to a supinated foot with a more rigid structure. [2,7] While the conflict about foot posture as an influencing factor on postural stability and plantar pressure characteristics goes on, to our knowledge no study has previously studied the possible relation between postural stability and plantar pressure characteristics.…”

The Relation of Hallux Valgus Severity With Foot Function and Balance in Older Men

“…Bone sequences are known to play an important role in postural control and walking (22). The hallux and the first metatarsophalangeal joint play major roles in walking; in the presence of severe hallux valgus, the walking patterns of elderly people may change.…”

A distribuição da força plantar está associada aos diferentes tipos de pés?

“…Se compararmos as técnicas diretas de medidas antropométricas dos pés para mensurar a altura do arco longitudinal medial, a radiografia dos pés e o método indireto da imagem da impressão plantar, o último apresenta vantagens por prover informações sobre o arco plantar e suas anormalidade, por apresentar baixo custo e ser facilmente disponível e livre de radiação (16) . Devido ao crescimento, na infância há uma larga variação das dimensões e formas dos pés, o que dificulta estabelecer os limites de normalidade do arco plantar nas crianças (5) .…”