Comparison of selected parameters of plantar pressure distribution during slope walking in adolescent girls

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.