Abstract
Walking and foot arch structure have risk-increasing effects that contribute to decreased physical activity in adults with overweight and obese body mass index (BMI) scores. However, it is unknown whether both excessive weight and arch height influence walking compared to the effects of excessive weight or arch height alone. The purpose of this study was to investigate if arch height mediates obesity-related walking characteristics among adults with different BMI classifications. Spatiotemporal walking kinematics and dynamic plantar pressure were collected as adults with normal (n=30), overweight (n=34), and obese (n=25) BMI scores walked at their preferred speed. Digital footprints created with plantar pressure data were used to calculate a measure of arch height, the Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI). The results showed that obese adults had lower arches than normal weight adults (P<0.05). Arch height was related to velocity, double limb support time, stance time, step length, and foot rotation (all Ps < 0.05). Overweight participants with lower arches had lower velocities and higher double limb support times (all Ps < 0.05). The results have implications for aiding an increase in physical activity for overweight adults via intervening in adults’ arch height.
Highlights
Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide
Results were similar for mass; participants with obese body mass index (BMI) scores had higher measures than overweight (P < 0.001, d = 2.04) or normal weight participants (P < 0.001, d = 2.67), and overweight participants had higher mass measures than normal weight participants (P < 0.001, d = 0.92)
Results from the ANCOVA showed that Chippaux-Smirak Index (CSI) was related to velocity (F(1,83) = 6.89, P < 0.05, d = 0.58), double limb support time (F(1,83) = 10.16, P < 0.01, d = 0.70), stance time (F(1,83) = 6.94, P < 0.05, d = 0.58), step length (F(1,83) = 4.40, P < 0.05, d = 0.45), and foot rotation (F(1,83) = 4.25, P < 0.05, d = 0.45)
Summary
Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide. The prevalence of being overweight or obese is high; more than 1.4 billion adults (35%) in the world over 20 years old are overweight and 11% are obese [1]. To combat obesity, increased energy expenditure with more physical activity has been recommended for overweight and obese adults; physical activity promotes weight loss, prevents weight gain, and can help maintain good metabolic health [2]. Compared to adults with normal weight, adults who are classified as overweight or obese show differences in spatiotemporal gait parameters. They take shorter steps by decreasing step and stride length, walk more slowly by decreasing velocity, and spend more time with their feet on the ground by decreasing swing time as well as increasing double limb support and stance time during overground walking [5, 6]. Overweight and obese adults demonstrate modifications in Physiology Journal (a)
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