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Foot plantar pressure and centre of pressure trajectory differ between straight and turning steps in infants
Carina Price1, Eleonora Montagnani2, Christopher Nester3
1Human Movement and Rehabilitation Research, University of Salford, PO41 Brian Blatchford Building, Frederick Road Campus, Salford, M66PU, UK. c.l.price@salford.ac.uk.
Insights
Infant walking involves different foot pressures when turning versus walking straight. Turning steps show longer centre of pressure paths and altered velocities compared to straight steps.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Pediatrics
- Human Movement Science
Background:
- Plantar pressure analysis is crucial for understanding infant gait development.
- Existing research predominantly examines straight walking, overlooking turning, which constitutes 25% of infant steps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare centre of pressure (CoP) and plantar pressure during straight and turning infant steps.
- To investigate kinematic differences in infant gait during various turning directions.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-five confident infant walkers (449±71 days) had plantar pressure and video recorded.
- Five steps each of straight, inward turning, and outward turning gaits were analyzed.
- Pedobarographic Statistical Parametric Mapping assessed peak plantar pressure variations.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in forefoot peak plantar pressure were observed, with straight steps showing higher pressures.
- Centre of pressure path length was significantly longer in the medial-lateral direction during turning.
- Anterior-posterior velocity was higher in straight steps, while medial-lateral velocity peaked during inward turns.
Conclusions:
- Infant centre of pressure and plantar pressure patterns differ significantly between straight and turning gaits.
- These variations may stem from walking speed or developing turning skills.
- Findings necessitate adjustments to future infant gait analysis protocols to include turning.
Abstract:
Plantar pressure has been used to understand loading on infant feet as gait develops. Previous literature focused on straight walking, despite turning accounting for 25% of infant self-directed steps. We aimed to compare centre of pressure and plantar pressure in walking steps in different directions in infants. Twenty-five infants who were walking confidently participated in the study (aged 449 ± 71 days, 96 ± 25 days after first steps). Plantar pressure and video were recorded whilst five steps per infant were combined for three step types: straight, turning inwards and outwards. Centre of pressure trajectory components were compared for path length and velocity. Pedobarographic Statistical Parametric Mapping explored differences in peak plantar pressure for the three step types. Significant differences were identified primarily in the forefoot with higher peak pressures in straight steps. Centre of pressure path was longer in the medial-lateral direction during turning (outward 4.6 ± 2.3, inward 6.8 ± 6.1, straight 3.5 ± 1.2 cm, p < .001). Anterior-posterior velocity was higher in straight steps and medial-lateral velocity highest turning inwards. Centre of pressure and plantar pressures differ between straight and turning steps with greatest differences between straight and turning. Findings may be attributed to walking speed or a function of turning experience and should influence future protocols.
