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Updated: May 11, 2026
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Published on: March 11, 2022
Pattern description and reliability parameters of six force-time related indices measured with plantar pressure
Kevin Deschamps1, Philip Roosen, Herman Bruyninckx
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences - Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Research Group, KULeuven, Belgium; Division of Musculoskeletal Disorders, Multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Clinic, University Hospitals Leuven, KULeuven, Belgium; Laboratory for Clinical Motion Analysis, University Hospital Pellenberg, KULeuven, Belgium; Haute Ecole Léonard De Vinci, Institut D'Enseignement Supérieur Parnasse Deux-Alice, Division of Podiatry, Bruxelles, Belgium.
Background:
Functional interpretation of plantar pressure measurements is commonly done through the use of ratios and indices which are preceded by the strategic combination of a subsampling method and selection of physical quantities. However, errors which may arise throughout the determination of these temporal indices/ratio calculations (T-IRC) have not been quantified. The purpose of the current study was therefore to estimate the reliability of T-IRC following semi-automatic total mapping (SATM).
Methods:
Using a repeated-measures design, two experienced therapists performed three subsampling sessions on three left and right pedobarographic footprints of ten healthy participants. Following the subsampling, six T-IRC were calculated: Rearfoot-Forefoot_fti, Rearfoot-Midfoot_fti, Forefoot medial/lateral_fti, First ray_fti, Metatarsal 1-Metatarsal 5_fti, Foot medial-lateral_fti.
Findings:
Patterns of the T-IRC were found to be consistent and in good agreement with corresponding knowledge from the literature. The inter-session errors of both therapists were similar in pattern and magnitude. The lowest peak inter-therapist error was found in the First ray_fti (6.5 a.u.) whereas the highest peak inter-therapist error was observed in the Forefoot medial/lateral_fti (27.0 a.u.) The magnitude of the inter-session and inter-therapist error varied over time, precluding the calculation of a simple numerical value for the error. The difference between both error parameters of all T-IRC was negligible which underscores the repeatability of the SATM protocol.
Conclusion:
The current study reports consistent patterns for six T-IRC and similar inter-session and inter-therapist error. The proposed SATM protocol and the T-IRC may therefore serve as basis for functional interpretation of footprint data.