Pressure Distribution under the Foot during Walking

Biomechanik Labor Essen

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During barefoot walking this male subject - with a high arch foot - does not show plantar pressures between the heel and forefoot. During the push-off phase high pressures are visible under the second and third metatarsal heads with very high pressures under the big toe during the final phase of contact. (Values on the Y-axis in kPa)

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More information

• Data were collected at a rate of 20 Hz. A capacitive pressure distribution platform with 1344 sensors from Novel Inc., Germany was used (2 sensors / cm*cm).
• The subject walked with his right foot at a self selected walking speed (appr. 0.9 m/s) across the pressure platform. Ground contact lasted 0.9 seconds.

Publications, based on measurements with the Novel system

• Hennig, E. M., Staats, A., & Rosenbaum, D. (1994). Plantar pressure distribution patterns of young school children in comparison to adults. Foot & Ankle, 15, 35-40.
• Hennig, E. M., & Rosenbaum, D. (1991). Pressure distribution patterns under the feet of children in comparison with adults. Foot & Ankle, 11(5), 306-311.
• Hennig, E., & Milani, T. (1993). Die Dreipunktunterstützung des Fußes - Eine Druckverteilungsanalyse bei statischer und dynamischer Belastung (The tripod theory of foot loading - a pressure distribution analysis during static and dynamic weight bearing of the foot). Zeitschrift für Orthopädie, 131(3), 279-284.