ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the parameters of plantar pressures between the obese children and normal children during walking on the flat ground at normal speed, and to discuss the effect of obesity on dynamic plantar pressures for 7-11 years obese children. MethodThere were 40 volunteer subjects, twenty obese children and twenty normal children between 7 and 11 years of age in this study. Subjects were asked to walk at their own paces on a 10 m walkway with a 0.5 m footscan plate (footscan from RSscan International, Olen, Belgium) Sampling at 300 Hz. Data were processed statistically by SPSS11.5 and EXCEL. ResultsCompared to the normal children: 1.the obese children have the longer foot support duration and shorter push off duration; 2.the peak plantar pressures are larger and appearing time is longer of Metatarsal 4 (M4) and Metatarsal 5 (M5), the peak plantar pressures of Toe 2 (T2) to Toe 5 (T5) on obese children group are higher. 3. AI (arch index) and impulse percentage of mid foot and heel of obese children group are much larger. 4. Supination extent of the left foot in heel strike phase, supination extent of the right foot in foot support phase and in push off phase on obese children group are also larger. In addition, significant difference in pronation extent appeared between left and right foot in obese children group. 5. The footaxis angle of obese children group is obviously larger. ConclusionsCompared to the normal children: 1. the walking stability of obese children group in this study is weaker. 2. Obese children are vulnerable to injure their foot foresole, ankle joint and knee joint. 3. Obese children endure flat foot more easily. 4. Obese children walk more frequently with outward splayfoot.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of gender and body mass index(BMI) on dynamic plantar pressure among children by comparing the plantar pressure parameters of obese boys and girls, as well as normal boys and girls when walking at preferred speed on flat ground and reviewing the relativity of children’s BMI and these parameters. Method 79 children were enrolled in this research to make gait test when walking naturally, using a 0.5m footscan plate system (RSscan International, Belgium). The results were statistically processed and analyzed by SPSS16.0. Results(1) There is no significant difference in mostly dynamic plantar pressure parameters between genders for both obese and normal children; (2) There is significant difference in the impulse percentage in mid foot and ground, and appearing time of pressure peak values of several areas including M5, MF and HL for normal children; (3) There is no significant correlation between BMI and foot support duration, impulse percentage between mid foot and ground, pressure peak value of T2 5, appearing time of pressure peak value of HM and HL; (4) BMI and the other plantar pressure distribution indicators are well correlated. Conclusions(1) There is no significant difference on dynamic plantar pressure distribution between genders for obese children, but there are effects of genders on partial dynamic plantar pressure distribution parameters for normal children; (2) Children with larger BMI are of worse walking stability and lower efficiency; (3) Children with larger BMI tend to feel fatigue in walking and get injured in ankle joints and other parts of the body more easily.