Distribution of Plantar Pressure in Soccer Players

Abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the static and dynamic distribution of foot pressure on the ground and to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and mean variables of plantar pressure between soccer players and their non-athlete peers. (2) Methods: The study involved 18 first-division Polish soccer players and 30 non-athlete physiotherapy students. The research experiment was conducted using the FreeMed platform. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the variables. Additionally, in the static and dynamic tests, Spearman’s rank correlations between body mass index (BMI) and plantar load were calculated. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in the loading of the dominant limb. A statistically significant correlation between BMI and loading of both limbs was found in the static test and between BMI and loading of the dominant limb in the dynamic test. (4) Conclusions: The baropodometric mat used in our study helped determine the plantar pressure distribution of soccer players and their non-athlete peers. Correlation analysis revealed that BMI was only associated with the mean plantar pressure of the dominant limb in the control group. Further research on a larger group of athletes is needed to determine how much sporting activity may affect the development to modifications within feet in soccer players.

Elite Tennis Players Experiencing High-Arched Supination and Cuboids Dropped Foot Syndromes in Daily Normal Gait

“…All participants were required to undergo anthropometric measurements to record their basic physiological characteristics. In order to capture the preliminary results of the walking footprint, the participants were required to complete short walks on the trail, following the following procedure: Participants were asked to first roll up their trouser legs above the knees to ensure that clothing did not restrict their movements; Barefoot stand in a natural posture, with arms hanging vertically at sides; Each participant was instructed to walk barefoot at their self-comfort speed, following their accustomed gait and pace [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] along the 4-m-long JC Mat built-in walkway to its end; Turn around at the end, and immediately walk to the starting point with a natural gait; Each participant will need to practice the above steps beforehand, and then enter the experiment after confirmation; Upon entering the experiment, each participant was instructed to perform several walking trials until at least three take-off paces were correctly acquired with the left and right foot (i.e., a single foot strikes the sensing cushion marked with the specific measurement range of the JC Mat). …”

“…Each participant was instructed to walk barefoot at their self-comfort speed, following their accustomed gait and pace [ 35 , 36 , 37 ] along the 4-m-long JC Mat built-in walkway to its end;…”

Characteristics of Plantar Pressure with Foot Postures and Lower Limb Pain Profiles in Taiwanese College Elite Rugby League Athletes

“…When the participant reaches the condition in step 5, the JC Mat directly records the pressure distribution from the static footprint. In the dynamic measurement experiment, each participant was instructed to walk barefoot at their self-comfort speed according to their accustomed pace and gait [29][30][31] on a 4 m-long JC Mat built-in walkway to its end, to make a turn, and to return by nature gait. Multiple walking trials were completed until at least three take-offs for the left and right foot were correctly acquired (i.e., the sensing cushion with marks of the specific measuring range of the JC Mat was struck with a single foot).…”

Analysis of the Influence of Age Stages on Static Plantar Pressure Indicators for Karate Do Practitioners (Preliminary Report)

“…A comparison of plantar pressure in Polish first division/league footballers, by comparison with unsportsmanlike subjects/students in physiotherapy is made by [60]. Significant differences between groups at the level of the dominant foot and significant associations between BMI values and the average plantar pressure of the dominant foot are found only for the group of footballers, so there are direct influences of sports activity on plantar pressure.…”