Frequency Domain Analysis of Ground Reaction Forces During Walking with and without Immediate Use of Textured Insoles in Blind Males

Because of an altered walking mechanism in blind individuals compared to healthy ones, it is expected that using textured insoles in blind individuals change the mechanism and ground reaction forces encounter to the lower limbs and joints. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare frequency domain of ground reaction forces during walking with and without textured insoles in blind individuals.

12 blind males (age: 29.66±4.39 years) volunteered to participate in this study. A foot scan system was used for measuring frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces during walking with and without textured insoles. Paired sample t-test was used for statistical analysis.

The findings indicated similar walking speed during walking with and without textured insoles in blind individuals (P>0.05). The frequency content with power 99.5% in the vertical ground reaction force component during walking with insoles were greater than that walking without it (p=0.039). Also, the frequency content with power 99.5% in the 3rd toe and 4th toe during orthoses condition were greater than that without it (p<0.05). In addition, frequency bandwidth in the 3rd toe region of the foot in insole condition was lower than that without insole condition (p=0.039).

Although there was similar walking speed during walking with and without textured insoles in blind individuals, there were lower frequency bandwidth and median frequency of ground reaction forces during orthoses condition compared to without.