Effects of walking speed and slope on foot pressure in young healthy adults

Abstract

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: Although pedobarographic measurement is increasingly used for clinical and research purposes, relatively few published studies have investigated regarding effects of walking speed and slope. This study examined pedobarographic findings in young healthy adults with regard to different walking speeds and slopes. Methods: Twenty young healthy adults (mean age 22.4 years, SD 1.2 years; 10 males and 10 females) were recruited. Dynamic pedobarographic data were obtained during treadmill walking with different walking speeds (3.2 km/hr, 4.3 km/hr, and 5.4 km/hr) and slopes (-8°, -4°, 0°, 4°, and 8°). Pedobarographic data including peak pressure and pressure-time integral were measured on five plantar segments: medial forefoot (MFF), lateral forefoot (LFF), medial midfoot (MMF), lateral midfoot (LMF), and heel. Distribution of foot pressure between medial and lateral sides, and between anterior and posterior aspects were calculated as varus/valgus index and forefoot/heel index, respectively. Walking speed of 4.3 km/hr on 0° of slope was considered as standard walking condition. Results: Varus/valgus index of peak pressure showed significant increase on the slope of 8° and the walking speed of 4.3 km/hr (p=0.036) and 5.4 km/hr (p=0.007). Forefoot/heel index of peak pressure significantly decreased on downhill walking. Varus/valgus index of pressure-time integral showed significant increase when uphill and downhill slope was greater and walking speed was faster compared with standard with walking condition. Forefoot/heel index of pressure-time integral showed significant increase in downhill walking while significant decrease was observed during uphill walking. Conclusion: Changes of walking speed and slope caused those of foot pressure distribution. Therefore, combination of walking speed and speed might be associated with pressure related symptoms and disorders of the foot.