Comparison of Foot Temperature Responses after Walking on Overground Versus Treadmill
Advisor Information
Kota Takahashi
Location
MBSC 201
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
6-3-2020 12:30 PM
End Date
6-3-2020 1:45 PM
Abstract
Previous work has found that walking barefoot on a treadmill increases foot temperature. However; it is currently unclear whether heat was due to the mechanical work done by the foot structures, or due to the byproduct of the treadmill surface increasing temperature due to friction/shear underneath the belt. In the case of the latter, direct contact with the foot may cause heat to transfer from the treadmill to the foot, resulting in an increase in temperature according to thermodynamic principles. The purpose of this study is to compare foot temperature profiles after barefoot walking on a treadmill versus overground.
The protocol consisted of 4 walking trials at 2 different conditions with a 30 minute rest period before each walking trial. The first walking condition was 0% extra added body mass and the second walking condition was 30% extra added body mass using a weighted vest. The participants’ walking speeds were controlled at 1.25 m/s. For the over-ground walking, the participant followed a designated pacer for their two ten-minute walking trials. Before and after each walking trial, thermal data of the plantar surface of the foot was collected by using a FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera and Contact Probes.
Results from comparing temperatures from 9 participants before and after walking in treadmill conditions were consistent with the results found in previous work. There was a difference in temperature between the 2 conditions with the treadmill having a higher temperature after walking, suggesting that the foot temperature response is influenced by floor surface.
Comparison of Foot Temperature Responses after Walking on Overground Versus Treadmill
MBSC 201
Previous work has found that walking barefoot on a treadmill increases foot temperature. However; it is currently unclear whether heat was due to the mechanical work done by the foot structures, or due to the byproduct of the treadmill surface increasing temperature due to friction/shear underneath the belt. In the case of the latter, direct contact with the foot may cause heat to transfer from the treadmill to the foot, resulting in an increase in temperature according to thermodynamic principles. The purpose of this study is to compare foot temperature profiles after barefoot walking on a treadmill versus overground.
The protocol consisted of 4 walking trials at 2 different conditions with a 30 minute rest period before each walking trial. The first walking condition was 0% extra added body mass and the second walking condition was 30% extra added body mass using a weighted vest. The participants’ walking speeds were controlled at 1.25 m/s. For the over-ground walking, the participant followed a designated pacer for their two ten-minute walking trials. Before and after each walking trial, thermal data of the plantar surface of the foot was collected by using a FLIR Thermal Imaging Camera and Contact Probes.
Results from comparing temperatures from 9 participants before and after walking in treadmill conditions were consistent with the results found in previous work. There was a difference in temperature between the 2 conditions with the treadmill having a higher temperature after walking, suggesting that the foot temperature response is influenced by floor surface.