Abstract
Introduction
The measurement of plantar pressure is an important component in the evaluation of the locomotive system. However, the absence of norm-referenced measurement poses limitations to its use.
Objective
To verify the influence of gender on plantar pressure during gait in healthy adults and to propose norm-referenced measurement that may be used as a reference for monitoring.
Methods
The study included 353 healthy participants (158 females and 195 males), aged between 20 and 64 years, and with a normal foot posture. Using a pressure platform, the peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integrals were measured in three areas of the foot: forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot.
Results
Both indicators of plantar pressure showed no significant differences between genders (p ≤ 0.05). Higher peak plantar pressure was found in the forefoot region, while a higher pressure-time integral was found in the hindfoot region. Percentile distribution values were made available for the data set of females and males.
Conclusion
The available norm-referenced measurement may be used to identify pathological gait parameters, monitor the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, and detect individuals in need of referral for a more sophisticated and detailed evaluation.
Foot; Gait analysis; Posture; Pressure; Reference values