Foot pressure analysis of adults with flat and normal feet at different gait speeds on an ascending slope

Abstract

[Purpose] This study was conducted to determine the difference in foot pressures between flat and nor- mal feet at different gait speeds on an ascending slope. [Subjects] This study enrolled 30 adults with normal (n=15) and flat feet (n=15), with ages from 21 to 30 years old, who had no history of neurological disorders or gait problems. A treadmill was used for the analysis of kinematic features during gait, using a slope of 10%, and gait velocities of slow, normal, and fast. [Methods] A foot pressure analyzer was used to measure changes in foot pressure. [Results] Compared to the normal subjects, the foot pressure of the flatfoot subjects showed a significant increase in the 2-3rd metatarsal region with increasing gait speed, whereas there were significant decreases in the 1st toe and 1st meta- tarsal regions with increasing gait speed. [Conclusion] The body weight of adults with flatfoot was concentrated on the 2-3rd metatarsal region during the stance phase and increased with walking speed on the ascending slope due to weakening of function of the medial longitudinal arch.