mohammad ali azarbaijany

 Moving on steep surfaces is a demanding task in daily life, especially during walking. It poses challenges for the human locomotor system, especially for those with neuromuscular injuries or disease. Therefore, this study aimed to compare plantar pressure variables in healthy versus genu valgum students during walking on a sloped surface.

 This applied study was quasi-experimental and causal-comparative. The samples comprised 15 girls with genu valgum knees (between medial malleolus distance of 3.90±0.44 cm) and 15 with healthy knees (between medial malleolus distance of 0.73±0.29 cm). Plantar pressure variables were evaluated in 10 areas of the foot on the sloping surfaces at 0%, ±8%, ±10%, and ±20% in the stance phase of walking. A 2-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. The significant level was set at 0.05. 

 Maximum pressure was only significant in the areas of the tarsal 1, metatarsal 2-4, and lateral rearfoot on the slopes of +8, -15, and -20 between the genu valgum and the healthy groups. The pressure was higher in the genu valgum group. Changes in the center of foot pressure on the positive and negative slopes of 8 and 15 in the genu valgum group compared to the healthy in the mediolateral direction significantly trended toward negative values.

 The study results showed that changes in the center of pressure increase the amount of foot supination by increasing the slope and decrease the amount of ankle pronation by increasing the negative slope. Therefore, slopes of -20, -15, and -8 can be suggested to improve the distribution pattern of plantar pressure in adolescent girls with genu valgum knee. However, further study in this area is warranted.

 One of the most important structural abnormalities in the foot is the decrease in the height of the medial longitudinal arch when bearing body weight, which causes deformity in the ankle and its pronation. The present study aims to compare static balance, posture, and selected plantar parameters in adolescent girls with ankle pronation and healthy peers. 

 This is quasi-experimental and causal-comparative study. Participants were 32 active healthy adolescent girls and 32 adolescent girls with ankle pronation aged 14-17 years. The NewYork digital test was used to assess their posture. The Chippaux-Smirak index (CSI) was used to evaluate their foot arch, and the navicular drop test was used to determine the amount of foot pronation. Romberg test (with eyes closed) was used to assess their static balance. Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to check the normality of data distribution. Independent t-test was used to compare selected plantar parameters and static balance of two groups, and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the postural abnormalities of the two groups. The data analysis was done in SPSS v. 22 software. The significance level was set at 0.05

 Among postural abnormalities, the prevalence of forward head (1.1%), uneven shoulders (3.6%), lordosis (8.3%), kyphosis (1.6%), knee varus (0.8%), knee valgus (0.12%), heel valgus (6.2%) and heel varus (%1.2) were higher in girls with ankle pronation. There was significant difference between the two groups in the navicular drop of dominant foot (P=0.00) and non-dominant foot (P=0.03), the CSI of dominant foot (P=0.00) and non-dominant foot (P=0.03), and Romberg balance test score (P=0.00).

 Adolescent girls with ankle pronation have more abnormalities compared to their healthy peers. The mechanical changes in their posture increased the development of lordosis, heel valgus, navicular drop, and CSI, and reduced their balance in them.

Moving on inclined surfaces is a challenging task in daily life that creates challenges for the human movement system. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare selected parameters of plantar pressure distribution in healthy teenage girls and those with genu varum deformity while walking on a slope.

The current research was semi-experimental, causal-comparative and applied research model. The subjects included 15 girls with genu varum (with inner thigh epicondyle distance of 4.31±0.71 cm) and 15 healthy girls (with inner thigh epicondyle distance of 0.84±0.17 cm). The amount of plantar pressure in 10 anatomical areas of the sole of the foot on inclined surfaces (±0, 8, ± 15, ± 20) percent in the stance phase of walking was investigated. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measurements was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was P≤0.05.

The maximum pressure at -20% slope in the third and fourth metatarsal bones, -15% slope of the fourth plantar bone, -8% slope of the third metatarsal bone and outer heel area, and 20% slope in the middle of the foot had a significant difference between the two groups (P≤0.05), that these differences were higher in the genu varum group than in the healthy group. The changes of the center of pressure in the slopes of ±15, 8 and 20% significantly showed more displacement in the genu varum group than in the healthy group (P≤0.05).

The results showed that walking on a positive slope as a safe and accessible non-invasive method by reducing the pressure in the inner part of the knee and reducing the amount of foot supination can improve the pressure distribution pattern of people with genu varum and prevent early arthritis. However, more studies are required in this field.

Plantar pressure is acted between the foot and the support surface during everyday locomotor activities. Information derived from plantar pressure distribution symmetry is important in gait and posture research for diagnosing lower limb problems, footwear design, injury prevention and other applications. Hence, this paper was aimed to review plantar pressure distribution symmetry in adolescence girls with genu varum, genu valgum and healthy during gait.

The research was quasi-experimental, causal-comparative and applied research model. Subjects included 45 girls with genu valgum, genu varum and healthy girls. The plantar pressure values were examined in 10 anatomical areas of plantar pressure on 0, ±10% slopes in the gait stance phase. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used for statistical analysis. Significance level was equal to 0.05.

No significant difference was observed in the symmetry variables of plantar pressure distribution in 0, ±10 slopes in the genu varum, genu valgum and healthy groups. While the healthy group at the 1,5 metatarsus and tarsus on the slope (surface slope) and the 5th metatarsus on -10% slope, and genu varum group at maximum tarsus pressure in all three levels and maximum tarsal 2-5 pressure only on the slope and maximum plantar pressure on the 10% slope and the maximum 1st plantar pressure on -10% slope for the genu valgum group have better symmetry.

The results show that genu varum and genu valgum anomalies affect the symmetry indices of plantar pressure distribution in adolescent girls; so that adolescent girls with knee deformities have less symmetry in the 5th metatarsus and tarsal 2-5 than healthy people. Therefore, the slope (surface slope) can be suggested to improve the plantar pressure distribution pattern in adolescent girls with genu varum and genu valgum knees. However, more studies are needed in this area.

 The ankle and the leg have the capability to perform specific functions such as carrying the weight of the body in the standing position against the power of gravity, moving the body to the front and creating stability for keeping the balance and controlling the posture. The purpose of the present study is Symmetry Comparison Balance performance and plantar pressure Distribution in Active adolescent’s female with Ankle Pronation while standing and Stance phase of Gait. 

 This study was semi - experimental with 34 active adolescent girls between 14 and 17 of Tehran were selected as simple and available. In order to evaluate the navicular drop measurement by Bordy method, evaluation of plantar pressure distribution by Foot Pressure device (PT-Scan4452F100) and to evaluate the symmetry between the two limbs and balance function were used the symmetry Index and Balance performance   formula. Mean and Deviation was used to describe data, Shapiro-Wilk Test applied to verify the normality od the data, and independent t-test was compare the variable of the two groups at significance level of  p≥0/05. 

The results Symmetry Comparison Balance performance and plantar pressure Distribution showed that, there was significant difference in Symmetry meteteas 1 (P≥ 0.03) and Symmetry medial hell foot (P= 0.04) and presser of hell foot percent Symmetry (P= 0.04), Symmetry hell foot impulse (P= 0.04) and rotation hell foot balance (P= 0.04) in two groups Active adolescent’s female with Ankle Pronation. 

 The current study’s findings showed that the girls with the pronation anomaly had less asymmetry on the inside of the heel and increased pressure distribution on the 1st. tarsus and the symmetry of balance function of heel rotation around the ankle’s axis and the impulse of the back of the foot in the healthy group were more than in the pronation group. Furthermore, because of more contact of the inner surface of the soles with the ground in the adolescent girls with pronation, the pressure level on the inner edge and 1st. metatarsus is increased and the inner heel symmetry in the pronation group decreased compared to the healthy group.

The purpose of the present study was to compare the symmetry of the distribution of plantar pressure and the center of pressure excursion index (CPEI) in active female adolescents with and without foot pronation disorder.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 physically active female adolescents with and without foot pronation aging 14 to 17 years. The participants were included through convenient sampling. Dominant leg was determined using blindfolded fall test and Waterloo dominant leg questionnaire. Brody method and foot pressure measurement system were used to measure navicular bone position and plantar pressure distribution, respectively. Data distribution was determined by Shapiro-Wilk test and between-group comparison of parameters concerning plantar pressure distribution was conducted using independent t-test at the significance level of α ≥ 0.05.

There was no significant difference in the symmetry of the distribution of plantar pressure and maximal plantar pressure between two groups (P > 0.05); however, among the symmetry indices of decuple maximal plantar pressure zones, the maximal pressure at first metatarsus (P = 0.04) and the medial heel (P = 0.05) was significantly different between groups.

It seems that the symmetry at first metatarsus and medial heel was less in female adolescents with foot pronation disorders compared to that of healthy group. In addition, these girls showed higher pressures at medial heel and first metatarsus probably because of wider contact between the medial region of their foot and the ground. However, the pattern of distribution of plantar pressure and CPEI was almost the same in both groups without significant difference.