Plantar pressure distribution during running in early childhood

Plantar loads represent a reliable estimation of the mechanical efficiency of movement. The aim of this study was to describe and compare plantar pressure measures during running in children 4-6 years of age.

Twenty-eight children were divided into three groups (4, 5 6 year-olds). Plantar pressure during running at self-selected speed was recorded using an Emed-AT platform (Novel). Contact area, peak pressure, relative maximum force, and relative contact time were analyzed under five different plantar regions. Foot length and dynamic plantar arch index were calculated. The MANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc were used to compare groups. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

BMI and arch index did not differ between the age groups. When compared to the younger groups, 6-year-old children produced higher loads of peak pressure (p < 0.01) and maximum force (p < 0.01), larger contact area (p < 0.01) and longer contact time (p < 0.05) under most foot regions, except for maximum force under the midfoot (p < 0.05).

Foot structure and plantar loads during running seem to be still developing in 6-year-olds. These children present different values of peak pressure, maximum force, contact time, and contact area than 4 and 5-year-olds, with higher values in the forefoot and lower values in the midfoot.