Measurement and Feature Analysis of Plantar Pressure Center in Athletes under Different Exercise Modes

Abstract

Walking and running, two essential exercises in daily training for athletes, are major causes to foot injuries. The plantar pressure center (PPC) can accurately reflect the gait process, and effectively measure the function of foot. This paper measures the PPC trajectories of a total of 45 athletes during the support period of walking and running, and analyzes their regularities under different exercise modes. The time percentage of PPC trajectory and foot progression angle were selected as the main observation indices. The support period under each exercise mode was divided into four phases: the initial contact phase (ICP), the forefoot contact phase (FFCP), the foot flat phase (FFP), and the forefoot push off phase (FFPOP). The statistical analysis shows that: Under the running mode, the time of the heel landing on the ground and the relative load on the heel decrease with the growing speed. Under the same exercise mode, the left and right feet differ slightly in the PPC trajectory; the foot progression angle peaks in FFPOP and minimizes in FFP. In ICP and FFPOP, the foot progression angle under running is smaller than that under walking; in FFP and FFCP, the foot progression angle under running is larger than that under walking. The research results provide the scientific basis for the reasonable arrangement of athlete training.