Relationships between Plantar Pressure Distribution and Rearfoot Alignment in the Taiwanese College Athletes with Plantar Fasciopathy during Static Standing and Walking

Abstract

Background: Plantar fasciopathy (PF) is usually related to changes in foot arch, foot shape and rearfoot posture. However, little research has been implemented by using large-scale datasets, and even less has been conducted centering on plantar pressure distributions (PPDs) of different genders of PF athletes. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among the arch index (AI), the PPDs and the rearfoot postural alignment in hundreds of college athletes with PF during static standing and walking. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 100 male and 102 female athletes with PF was undertaken. The PF athletes’ pain assessment and self-reported health status were examined for evaluating their musculoskeletal painful areas. Results: The PF athletes’ PPDs mainly concentrated on inner feet in static standing, and transferred to lateral forefeet during the midstance phase of walking. The males’ PPDs from the static standing to the midstance phase of walking mainly transferred to anterolateral feet. The females’ PPDs mainly transferred to posterolateral feet. The PF athletes’ static rearfoot alignment matched the valgus posture pattern. The medial band of plantar fascia and calcaneus were the common musculoskeletal pain areas. Conclusions: Characteristics of higher plantar loads beneath medial feet associated with rearfoot valgus in bipedal static stance could be the traceable features for PF-related foot diagrams. Higher plantar loads mainly exerted on the lateral forefoot during the midstance phase of walking, and specifically concentrated on outer feet during the transition from static to dynamic state. Pain profiles seem to echo PPDs, which could function as the traceable beginning for the possible link among pronated low-arched feet, PF, metatarsalgia, calcanitis and Achilles tendinitis.

Traceable Features of Static Plantar Pressure Characteristics and Foot Postures in College Students with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

“…Apart from this, the hemiplegic CP students in this study presented a most common feature of increased plantar load on the medial aspect of the foot, accompanied by a rearfoot valgus posture on the hemiplegic foot. The feature appeared to constitute the pronated foot characteristics, and such results were consistent with previous studies that suggested bearing a lower medial longitudinal arch contributes to the incidence of rearfoot pronation and thus increased plantar load on the medial aspect of the rearfoot [ 32 , 50 , 51 ]. Rearfoot valgus associated with a pronated foot often significantly increases the possibility of extensive foot pain [ 52 ].…”

“…Through the JC Mat built-in FPDS-Pro software (View Grand International Co Ltd., New Taipei City, Taiwan), both feet can be analyzed and qualified for parameters including AI, PPDs, centers of gravity, toe angles, and footprint characteristics. The repeatability and reproducibility of the device were demonstrated in previous studies [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Therefore, the present study was aimed not only at expanding the knowledge base regarding the characteristics of foot types and plantar pressure with the centers of gravity and the rearfoot posture in male and female students with CP during upright standing, but also at assessing the differences in these research items between the hemiplegic limbs and unaffected limbs in the left and right hemiplegic CP students. The plantar pressure measurement equipment used in this study has been applied in numerous previous research cases, including the foot and ankle research of special elite athletes [ 30 , 31 , 33 ] as well as a clinical study on common podiatric diseases [ 32 ]. Although the JC Mat differs from the Pedar-X ® , which is considered the gold standard for in-shoe plantar pressure measurement [ 37 ], it has; however, been used both in clinical and commercial settings in Taiwan.…”

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

“…Study participants were assessed using the JC Mat optical plantar pressure analysis device (View Grand International Co., Ltd., New Taipei City, Taiwan) and built-in FPDS-Pro software to determine the arch index (AI), plantar pressure distributions (PPDs), and balance of the foot centers of gravity [ 34 ]. The device has been proven repeatable and reproducible in previous studies [ 21 , 22 , 32 , 33 ]. The JC Mat uses the same principle and technology as the Harris footprint measurement.…”

“…However, these studies do not accurately reflect the plantar pressure distribution experienced by tennis players in their daily lives, and limited evidence has been reported regarding plantar pressure during normal gait. Given the above context, the study is based on a series of past experiences exploring the correlation between static and dynamic foot pressure profiles and lower extremity pain profiles in specific elite athletes [ 21 , 22 , 32 , 33 ]. On the basis of these findings, this study aimed at investigating the plantar pressure characteristics and foot posture of tennis players during their natural gait.…”