The effect of age and body mass index on plantar cutaneous sensation in healthy women

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was conducted to examine the effects of age and body mass index on plantar cutaneous sensation in healthy women. [Subjects and Methods] Two hundred and three healthy female volunteers over the age of 20 were included in the study. The statistical analyses were performed by considering the age and body mass index values of the individuals. The individuals were divided according to their ages and body mass index values. Foot pain was measured with a visual analogue scale and plantar cutaneous sensation using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. [Results] Fifty-six (27.5%) of the participants had normal weights, 67 (33%) were overweight, and 80 (39%) were obese. Statistical analysis revealed that as age and body mass index values increased, plantar sensitivity decreased and the frequency and severity of pain increased. [Conclusion] It is possible that healthy women may experience a decrease in foot plantar sensation with increasing weight and age. If women do not have any health problems, proprioception and sensory training must be focused on in order to prevent balance and falling problems.

The influence of age and overweight or obesity on foot sensitivity and postural control: A systematic review

“…Other reported methods were static balance test, Berg balance scale, muscular activity latency after stance perturbation and posturography . In contrast, five studies did not evaluate balance or postural control …”

“…[4][5][6]19,26,27 Older people presented worse foot sensitivity compared to young adults. [4][5][6]27 At issue is the fact that the impact of less accurate sensory information on body position for postural control in older people is task-dependent. Thus, less accurate proprioceptive information is more detrimental to postural stability, especially in more challenging tasks.…”

“…Thus, less accurate proprioceptive information is more detrimental to postural stability, especially in more challenging tasks . However, it is important to highlight that some studies evaluated only the foot sensitivity, whereas balance or postural control was not evaluated …”

“…26 In contrast, five studies did not evaluate balance or postural control. 4,[22][23][24][25] The decreased plantar cutaneous sensitivity in the heels of the healthy older people was slightly associated with higher rates of total dynamic and medial-lateral balance.…”

Yaşlı Bireylerde Demografik Özelliklerin ve Huzurevinde Yaşamanın Plantar Duyuya Etkisi

“…Plantar yüklenmenin arttığı bölgelerde deri kalınlığı ve sertliğinin artmasıyla birlikte dokunma duyusu azalır (1). Obezitenin plantar duyuya etkisini araştıran sınırlı sayıdaki araştırmaların sonuçları, obez bireylerde obez olmayanlara göre plantar dokunma ve basınç duyusunun azaldığını göstermiştir (12,13).…”