Effect of Repetitive Loading from 5 km of Running on Plantar Pressure in Healthy Young Participants

Repetitive loading during running is associated with the occurrence of running injuries. Several previous studies have assessed plantar pressure before, during, and after running. However, the difference in plantar pressure before and after 5 km of running has not been investigated. A 5-km running distance can be easily achieved by novice and recreational runners. There is evidence that novice runners are more likely to experience injuries from running compared with experienced runners. This study aimed to examine changes in plantar pressure before and after 5 km of running.

Ten healthy adult men were asked to run 5 km on a treadmill. The foot plantar pressure area was measured before and after running. Plantar pressure data were divided according to the following areas: toe, metatarsal, heel, medial, lateral, anterior, and posterior. The peak values of each area during the stance phase were compared before and after 5 km of running using paired t test or Wilcoxon signed rank test.

The peak value of plantar pressure on the hallux (P = .01), first metatarsal (P < .01), toe (hallux, second-fifth toes) (P = .04), and medial (metatarsal, first metatarsal, medial heel) (P = .04) areas was significantly lower after running than before running.

Plantar pressure of the medial and anterior foot areas after 5 km of running decreased. This may be because the participants were adopting a strategy that avoided overloading the medial and anterior foot area throughout 5 km of running. To elucidate this involved mechanism, future research should focus on related muscle activity.