Comparison of the plantar pressure distributions at different degrees of tilting: a preliminary report

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the amount of plantar pressures on the lower limb during tilt table standing and to indicate the ideal degree of tilting for partial weight bearing. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen healthy subjects between the ages of 20 and 30 were recruited as volunteers for this study. All the measurements were taken while standing on a tilt table according to different inclination angles. [Results] The plantar pressures for 60° tilt table standing were lower by 7-9% of total body weight than the pressures during tilt table standing at 90°, and the pressures for 30° tilt table standing were lower by 18-20% of total body weight than the pressures for tilt table standing at 90°. [Conclusion] Standing training on a 60° tilt table might be equivalent to 80% of full weight bearing training, and tilt table standing training at 30° might be equivalent to 60% of full weight bearing training.