Influence of pressure-relief insoles developed for loaded gait (backpackers and obese people) on plantar pressure distribution and ground reaction forces

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2014

Authors

Marcelo Castro (Author) FADEUP; Sofia Abreu (Author) FEUP; Viviana Correia Pinto (Author) FEUP; Manuel Santos (Author) FADEUP; Leandro Machado (Author) FADEUP; Mário Vaz (Author) FEUP; João Campos (Collaborator) FADEUP

Journal

Title: Applied Ergonomics

Vol. 45 No. 4

Pages: 1028-1034

ISSN: 0003-6870

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 20 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Medical engineering

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-009-A6X

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.01.005

Abstract (EN): The aims of this study were to test the effects of two pressure relief insoles developed for backpackers and obese people on the ground reaction forces (GRF) and plantar pressure peaks during gait; and to compare the GRF and plantar pressures among normal-weight, backpackers, and obese participants. Based on GRF, plantar pressures, and finite element analysis two insoles were manufactured: flat cork-based insole with (i) corkgel in the rearfoot and forefoot (SLS1) and with (ii) poron foam in the great toe and lateral forefoot (SLS2). Gait data were recorded from 21 normal-weight/backpackers and 10 obese participants. The SLS1 did not influence the GRF, but it relieved the pressure peaks for both backpackers and obese participants. In SLS2 the load acceptance GRF peak was lower; however, it did not reduce the plantar pressure peaks. The GRF and plantar pressure gait pattern were different among the normal-weight, backpackers and obese participants.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7