Relationship between the floating toe and the center-of-pressure position in an upright posture among students

[Purpose] The incidence of floating toes in children is increasing. Although the anteroposterior center of pressure in children is present posteriorly, its relationship with the floating toe is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the position of the anteroposterior center of pressure and the floating toe in an upright posture in children. [Participants and Methods] In this cross-sectional study, a Win-Pod (Medicapteurs) platform was used to measure the position of the anteroposterior center of pressure in 208 boys and 195 girls from Japanese elementary schools. Using images of the plantar footprint, floating toes were assessed and the floating toe score was calculated. [Results] The anteroposterior center of pressure position was situated 32.3 ± 8.2% from the heel. The floating toe score of all the participants was 3.5 ± 2.4, with a very high rate of 98%. The floating toe score had a significant, moderate correlation with age, height, weight, and the anteroposterior center-of-pressure position. Multivariate analysis revealed an association between the floating toe score and the anteroposterior center-of-pressure position, height, and weight. [Conclusion] There is significant relationship between the anteroposterior center-of-pressure position and the floating toe score in an upright posture in Japanese elementary school students.