Changes in the Plantar Pressure Distribution During Gait Throughout Gestation

by MASS4D® Prescription Orthotics October 22, 2016

Six healthy pregnant women volunteered to undergo a longitudinal evaluation of the plantar pressure distribution throughout gestation.

The plantar pressure distribution (contact time, contact area, peak pressure, and maximum force) was evaluated statically (orthostatic posture) and dynamically (gait).

The women walked on a 10m walkway at a self-selected cadence and controlled speed between trials and trimester.

The pedar-X system was used to evaluate barefoot gait to avoid the influence of the volunteer’s shoes on plantar pressure and to study the complex behaviour of the foot-floor interaction without any other interference.

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Pressure was evaluated in five areas for better understanding of the plantar pressure distribution on the medial and lateral sides of the rearfoot and forefoot during gait.

No significant difference was observed in any pressure variables during orthostatic posture for all of the plantar areas throughout gestation.

During gait, throughout gestation, peak pressure at the medial rearfoot significantly reduced from the first to third and second to third trimesters.

A significant increase in contact area was observed at the lateral rearfoot from the second to third trimester and at the midfoot from the first to third trimester.

Contact time increased significantly at the midfoot and the medial and lateral forefoot from the first to third trimester.

Maximum force decreased in 39% from the first to third trimester and in 47% from the second to third trimester in the medial rearfoot and increased in 16% from the first to second trimester in the medial forefoot.

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References:

1. Ana Paula Ribeiro, Francis Trombini-Souza, Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco, Rodrigo Ruano, Marcelo Zugaib, Silvia Maria Amado Joao (2011) Changes in the Plantar Pressure Distribution During Gait Throughout Gestation. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association: September/October 2011, Vol. 101, No. 5, pp. 415-423

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