Plantar Pressure Regularity is Increased under the Lateral Forefoot in the Elderly

Advisor Information

Jenna Yentes

Location

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

6-3-2015 9:00 AM

End Date

6-3-2015 10:30 AM

Abstract

The primary goal of this research was to identify alterations in plantar pressure distributions due to aging. Specifically, to quantify the regularity of peak pressure patterns under distinct anatomical regions of the foot during consecutive stance cycles in order to determine if aging leads to alterations in the regularity of peak plantar pressures. It was hypothesized that elderly subjects would distribute loads to the lateral aspect of the foot, localizing towards weaker metatarsal structures and that elderly would display a greater regularity of peak pressures. Five healthy young (25.2y±3.1) and five healthy elderly (77.6y±7.8) subjects participated in this study. A clinical foot evaluation was conducted in order to screen for foot deformities. Subjects were fitted to a control shoe with a pair of pressure insoles (PedarX, Novel Electronics) and asked to walk on a treadmill at their preferred speed for 10 minutes. Data was analyzed by dividing the insole pressures into seven anatomical regions. The peak pressure in each region for 300 consecutive steps was determined and sample entropy was utilized to quantify the regularity of peak pressures for the right foot. An independent t-test was used to compare the regional sample entropy between age groups. The sample entropy of the right lateral metatarsal region was significantly (p=0.027) reduced (more regular) in comparison to the young controls. These preliminary results suggest repetitive loading of high pressures under the lateral forefoot in elderly. This may have further implications for elderly persons with foot pain, diabetic ulcers, or at risk for falls.

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Mar 6th, 9:00 AM Mar 6th, 10:30 AM

Plantar Pressure Regularity is Increased under the Lateral Forefoot in the Elderly

Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library

The primary goal of this research was to identify alterations in plantar pressure distributions due to aging. Specifically, to quantify the regularity of peak pressure patterns under distinct anatomical regions of the foot during consecutive stance cycles in order to determine if aging leads to alterations in the regularity of peak plantar pressures. It was hypothesized that elderly subjects would distribute loads to the lateral aspect of the foot, localizing towards weaker metatarsal structures and that elderly would display a greater regularity of peak pressures. Five healthy young (25.2y±3.1) and five healthy elderly (77.6y±7.8) subjects participated in this study. A clinical foot evaluation was conducted in order to screen for foot deformities. Subjects were fitted to a control shoe with a pair of pressure insoles (PedarX, Novel Electronics) and asked to walk on a treadmill at their preferred speed for 10 minutes. Data was analyzed by dividing the insole pressures into seven anatomical regions. The peak pressure in each region for 300 consecutive steps was determined and sample entropy was utilized to quantify the regularity of peak pressures for the right foot. An independent t-test was used to compare the regional sample entropy between age groups. The sample entropy of the right lateral metatarsal region was significantly (p=0.027) reduced (more regular) in comparison to the young controls. These preliminary results suggest repetitive loading of high pressures under the lateral forefoot in elderly. This may have further implications for elderly persons with foot pain, diabetic ulcers, or at risk for falls.