Comparison of plantar pressure distribution in runners with different foot structures

Differences in foot structure are thought to be associated with differences in foot function during movement. The aim of this study was to comparison of plantar pressure distribution in runners with different foot types.

60 male and female runners with normal, flat and cavus foot types participated in this study. Participants ran in 17-m run-way at 3.3 m/s for six times. Peak plantar pressure, peak plantar force and impulse underneath each region of foot, and medio-lateral and relative time for stance phases were recorded by Footscan® platform. For data analysis, ANOVA and MANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc statistical tests at significance level of 0.05 were used.

Flat feet group have more loading rate in toe1, lesser toes, second metatarsal and midfoot than normal and cavus foot groups. Also, loading rate in fifth metatarsal, lateral and medial heel at cavus group was higher compared to flat and normal groups.

It seems individuals with different foot types exhibit different plantar pressure distribution patterns. Future studies are needed to assess other effects of different foot structures especially to identify injury patterns for each group