Changes in the plantar pressure distribution during gait throughout gestation

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Human Physiology
• Pregnancy Studies

Background:

• Plantar pressure distribution changes during pregnancy are not fully understood.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for maternal health and mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally describe and compare plantar pressure distribution during standing and gait in pregnant women.
• To investigate how these patterns change across trimesters.

Main Methods:

• Prospective longitudinal observational study with six pregnant women.
• Capacitive insoles used to measure peak pressure, contact time, area, and force in five plantar regions.
• Evaluations conducted during the last month of each trimester over one year.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in plantar pressure during orthostatic (standing) posture across trimesters.
• During gait, medial rearfoot pressure and force decreased, while midfoot and forefoot loads increased.
• Contact area and time also showed increases in the midfoot and forefoot during gait.

Conclusions:

• Plantar pressure remains stable during standing but is redistributed during gait in pregnancy.
• This redistribution from rearfoot to midfoot/forefoot likely enhances dynamic stability during locomotion.
• Findings highlight adaptive biomechanical changes supporting mobility throughout pregnancy.