Running and Walking Foot Loading in Children Aged 4-10 Years.

Although previous reports have provided normative plantar pressure data for walking in children, evaluation during running is lacking. This study aimed to compare foot loading patterns during running and walking in children aged 4-10 years. Furthermore, the relationship between running baropodometric parameters and anthropometric measures was investigated. Foot loading of 120 volunteers was evaluated during running and walking using an Emed AT-4 pressure platform. Analyses were performed for 5 anatomical regions (rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, hallux, and lesser toes). Higher peak pressure and maximum force values were seen under most foot regions during running in comparison with walking, whereas relative contact area tended to increase only in the midfoot. Data for running indicated that aging explained less than 23% of the variance of plantar loads and contact area. Running foot loads were more associated with height, body mass, and foot length. This study's data described plantar loads under the feet of children were greater during running. Aging was associated with little increase in running plantar loads and larger contact areas. Results may be useful as reference to characterize foot loading during running and in the development of orthoses in clinical applications or products such as sport shoes for children.

Plantar pressure distribution during running in early childhood.

INTRODUCTION: Plantar loads represent a reliable estimation of the mechanical efficiency of movement. The aim of this study was to describe and compare plantar pressure measures during running in children 4-6 years of age. METHODS: Twenty-eight children were divided into three groups (4, 5 6 year-olds). Plantar pressure during running at self-selected speed was recorded using an Emed-AT platform (Novel). Contact area, peak pressure, relative maximum force, and relative contact time were analyzed under five different plantar regions. Foot length and dynamic plantar arch index were calculated. The MANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc were used to compare groups. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: BMI and arch index did not differ between the age groups. When compared to the younger groups, 6-year-old children produced higher loads of peak pressure (p < 0.01) and maximum force (p < 0.01), larger contact area (p < 0.01) and longer contact time (p < 0.05) under most foot regions, except for maximum force under the midfoot (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Foot structure and plantar loads during running seem to be still developing in 6-year-olds. These children present different values of peak pressure, maximum force, contact time, and contact area than 4 and 5-year-olds, with higher values in the forefoot and lower values in the midfoot.