FOOT STRUCTURE AND IN SHOE PLANTAR PRESSURE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MALES AND FEMALES

Abstract

519 Although athletic shoewear construction is reportedly different for males and females, a question remains as to whether there are, indeed, significant foot structure and plantar pressure differences between males and females to warrant these substantial shoe construction differences. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the foot structure and in-shoe plantar pressures between males and females. Twenty males and 20 females, 20-35 years of age, participated in this study. Foot structure including the subtalar joint motion and forefoot-to-rearfoot relationship was determined using a goniometer. Peak plantar pressure (PP) was determined for nine different regions of both feet using the EMED Pedar in-shoe pressure measurement system as subjects walked on a level floor wearing provided court shoes. Results indicated that females had greater left (p=.008) and right (p=.043) calcaneal eversion and left (p=.001) and right (p=.032) forefoot varus than males. For the left foot, males had greater peak PP in the medial forefoot region (p=.009) than females; however, females had greater peak PP in the lateral forefoot (p=.017) and hallux regions (p=.012) than males. For the right foot, males had greater peak PP in the midfoot (p=.002) and lateral forefoot regions (p=.0006) than females. These results indicate that there are differences in foot structure and peak plantar pressure between males and females. In addition, the peak PP differences were located in different regions for each foot.