[Age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years]

Objective: To investigate the age-specific distribution characteristics of plantar pressure parameters in healthy children aged 3-12 years. Methods: This cross-sectional study retrieved data from the hospital information system in January 2025 for 272 children aged 3-12 years who underwent physical examinations and voluntarily completed plantar pressure analysis at Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, from July 2022 to December 2024. Demographic and clinical data, including anthropometric measurements (height and weight), flatfoot diagnosis and plantar pressure parameters (maximum pressure, time to maximum force, and contact time percentage in bilateral forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot) were recorded. Participants were categorized into 3 age groups (3-6 years, 7-9 years, and 10-12 years) and were grouped by gender as well. Intergroup comparisons used one-way ANOVA or least-significant difference test or χ² tests. Spearman's rank correlation assessed the relationship between flatfoot prevalence and age. Results: Among 272 children (143 boys, 129 girls), age groups comprised 3-6 years (118 children, 64 boys and 54 girls), 7-9 years (96 children, 49 boys and 47 girls), and 10-12 years (58 children, 30 boys and 28 girls). Flatfoot prevalence was higher in boys than in that of girls (41.3% (59/143) vs. 28.7% (37/129), χ²=4.70, P=0.030), and negatively correlated with age (r=-0.21, P<0.001). There all had statistically differences in the maximum pressure values of the bilateral forefoot and hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). The maximum pressure values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 10-12 years were all higher than those of the other two groups (all P<0.001). There had no statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). The time maximum force values of bilateral midfoot in the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the time maximum force value of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral forefoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all the lowest, and those of the group of aged 10-12 years were all the highest (all P<0.05). There had no statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral midfoot among the 3 age groups (all P>0.05). There all had statistically differences in the contact time percentage values of the bilateral hindfoot among the 3 age groups (all P<0.001), and after pairwise comparison, those of the group of aged 3-6 years were all lower than those of the other two groups (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Plantar pressure parameters exhibit distinct age-related patterns, reflecting the development of gait patterns and foot arch formation, which will be useful for monitoring physical growth and sports rehabilitation.