Kata and kumite intensive training in female international karate-kas adjusts pedobarographic profiles of gait

Karate consists of two somewhat different disciplines, kata, and kumite; each one may have a different effect on foot structure and dynamics in the longterm.  
As pedobarography is indicative of foot function, the present study aimed to compare pedobarographic profile during gait between young females participating in international kata and kumite competitions and non-karate-ka females.
Displacement and velocity of the center of pressure, and peak pressure in ten regions of the foot of 10 kata-ka, 12 kumite-ka, and 16 non-karate-ka were measured with a pressure platform during barefoot walking.
Peak pressure in the lateral-heel and lateral-toes of kata-ka and kumite-ka was significantly lower than non-karate-ka (P<0.05). Furthermore, peak pressure in the kata-ka midfoot was lower than non-karate-ka (P=0.01 in medial-foot, P=0.01 in lateral-midfoot). In the anteroposterior direction, center of pressure velocity and displacement were significantly different among the three groups (P<0.05).
It can be concluded that the practice of repeated intensive karate exercises has a demonstrable effect on foot progression, dynamic loading velocity, and plantar load distribution during gait. Moreover, practicing kata probably has a greater impact on the measured parameters.