Abstract
The present commentary refers to recent research on the plantar pressure distribution variation in pre-obese, obese and non-obese adult individuals. While the studies observe significant changes in the contact area in the mid foot region i.e. instep region, no statistically significant differences were observed in the pressure distribution of the fore-foot and hind-foot region among the pre-obese and non-obese groups. Thus, the pressure distribution of the sole of the individuals depends upon the body weight of the individuals. In this commentary, we emphasize that the results of these studies; besides their clinical implications, have applications in forensic sciences especially in the field of forensic podiatry too which is concerned with the examination of pedal evidence recovered at the crime scene.
Highlights
Plantar pressure distribution is likely to provide useful information in clinical as well as forensic practice. This commentary refers a recent research on the plantar pressure distribution in pre-obese, obese and non-obese adult individuals [1-4]. While these studies observe significant changes in the contact area in the mid foot region i.e. instep region, no statistically significant differences were observed in the pressure distribution of the fore-foot and hind-foot region among the pre-obese and non-obese groups
Arnold et al [6] conducted a similar study where impact of increasing body mass has been investigated under four different loading conditions i.e. 0, 5, 10, and 15 kg. They observed statistically significant increases in peak pressure between the 10 and 15 kg load conditions compared to the control (0 kg) within the heel and second to fifth metatarsal regions. It can be well interpreted from the above mentioned studies that the obese individuals showed flatter foot pattern, larger foot axis angle and differences on dynamic plantar pressures compared to the non-obese individuals (Fig. 1)
Significant changes in the contact area in mid foot regions between the pre-obese and obese groups as observed in the studies on plantar pressure distribution can give a clue to the body size from a footprint
Summary
Plantar pressure distribution is likely to provide useful information in clinical as well as forensic practice. This commentary refers a recent research on the plantar pressure distribution in pre-obese, obese and non-obese adult individuals [1-4]. While these studies observe significant changes in the contact area in the mid foot region i.e. instep region, no statistically significant differences were observed in the pressure distribution of the fore-foot and hind-foot region among the pre-obese and non-obese groups.
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