Short communicationPlantar pressure distribution during running in early childhood
Introduction
Plantar loads represent a reliable estimation of the mechanical efficiency of movement. Important studies on plantar loads were conducted in children in different age groups in the quiet standing position and walking [1]. The longitudinal arch seems develop continuously until 6 years of age. Phethean et al. [2], suggest that between the ages of 4 and 7 years old there may have a period of potential differences between bearing of the plantar loads. Running is an important motor ability for children and an understanding of plantar pressure loads during running in early childhood may be important to assess typical motor development, and for the construction of orthoses, prostheses and shoes.
Section snippets
Research question
Is there difference in plantar pressure measures during running among children from 4, 5 and 6 years of age?
Methods
28 children were divided into three groups: 4-year-old, 5-year-old and 6-year-old (Table 1). Each child running barefoot over the platform (Emed-AT, Novel) at a self-selected speed until five valid steps for each foot. Speed was recorded using a chronometer. All participants were rearstrikers. Contact area, peak pressure, relative maximum force, and relative contact time were analyzed in five different plantar regions: hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux. Foot length and dynamic plantar
Results
There were no significant differences in variables between the right and left feet. Therefore, only data for the left foot were described. The plantar arch index did not differ between the age groups. The differences observed occurred mainly between 6-year-old and the other groups, with a tendency for contact area, peak pressure, maximal force, and contact time to increase for this group, with the exception of the midfoot (Table 2).
Discussion
Bosch et al. [1] identified a gradual increase in peak pressure values in children from 1 to 10 years of age and the maturity of plantar loads during walking appears to occur between 5 and 6 years of age. According our results plantar loads during running seem to be still developing in 6-year-old children The higher values of plantar loads observed in 6-year-old group compared to 4 and 5 years old may be related to higher speed and greater technical running ability [3]. Increasing age the
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- et al.
Development of healthy children’s feet - Nine-year results of a longitudinal investigation of plantar loading patterns
Gait Posture
(2010)
Cited by (3)
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