RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an inevitable disease in the progression of aging society. Decrease of muscle strength and joint flexibility and variation in foot structure and function can cause the change of gait characteristics of the elderly to varying degrees. Therefore, by comparing the plantar pressure data of elderly patients with sarcopenia and healthy elderly people, It Is helpful to provide accurate evaluation indexes for clinical prediction of fall risks in elderly patients with sarcopenia. OBJECTIVE: To Investigate the changes of plantar pressure In elderly patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: The plantar pressure data of elderly patients with sarcopenia (experimental group) and elderly people without sarcopenia (control group) were collected by Footscan 2.0 plantar pressure test system. The step length, step speed, touchdown time, plantar zone pressure, plantar pressure center trajectory were compared and analyzed. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, China. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The step length and speed of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The touchdown time in the experimental group was higher than that In the control group. Significant differences between the two groups were found in the changes of plantar pressure in toes 2-5, metatarsal 3, mid foot, metatarsal 4, and metatarsal 5 of the left foot as well as In the changes of plantar pressure In toes 2-5, metatarsal 3, metatarsal 4, and metatarsal 5 of the right foot. The total length of the plantar pressure center trajectory and the short-and long-axis length of the ellipse In the left and right feet were significantly different between the experimental and control groups. These findings Indicate that elderly patients with sarcopenia have lower walking and balance control abilities as well as worse gait symmetry as compared with healthy controls.