Every month, XSENSOR's Sports Performance Science Contributor, Antonio Robustelli, MSc, CSCS (Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist with OmniAthlete Performance Concept), will offer his take on essential and recommended reading, research, and review for plantar pressure applications using gait analysis for athletes.
Be sure to tune in to get the abstracts, summaries, and critical takeaways, or read the complete studies at your own pace.
Research Title: Plantar Pressure Measurements for the Evaluation of Shoe Comfort, Overuse Injuries, & Performance in Soccer
Authors: Hennig EM.
Journal: Footwear Science
Publication Year: 2014
Abstract
Soccer has become the most popular sport across the globe. Players would agree that footwear dramatically influences the game of soccer. Shoe traction properties determine the game's speed, and various shoe stud configurations are optimized for wet and dry ground conditions. Questionnaires show that comfort is the most desirable shoe feature that soccer players want from their shoes. Better comfort is strongly associated with a reduction of high pressures under the foot. Significant differences in plantar pressure patterns are present during running, sprinting, and cutting movements. These different loading patterns may explain some of the overuse injuries in soccer. The type of footwear also modifies in-shoe pressures substantially. This knowledge is vital for improving foot comfort and injury prevention and can also explain performance differences between various shoe constructions. Pressure distribution measurements can even analyze the influence of shoe design on kicking accuracy. Pressure measuring devices are considered essential for evaluating and designing shoes for better comfort, enhanced performance, and the prevention of overuse injuries.
Why the Study Is Relevant
This review aims to investigate plantar pressure measurements' effectiveness as a tool to assess footwear function in soccer players. The authors tried to address an important question in modern football, thus providing coaches with actionable insights that can be applied in real-world conditions.
The study comprises a survey questionnaire and descriptive research to investigate pressure patterns during soccer-specific movements. Even if the study has a limitation in a low sample size (n=20), it has the advantage of testing the players directly on the natural grass soccer field in a real-world scenario outside of the lab.
Summary
Football is one of the few sports where footwear greatly influences player performance. Modern football is becoming faster than ever, and football shoes must be low in weight while providing sufficient traction and guaranteeing foot stability.
The study's authors tried to investigate the suitability of plantar pressure measurement technology to evaluate the design of football shoes.
Key Takeaways
- Running, sprinting, and cutting movements shows a different pattern of plantar pressure.
- High medial and lateral forefoot loading is associated with a high incidence of metatarsal bone fractures.
- The type of footwear modifies in-shoe pressure substantially.
Read the full study.
Research Title: Medical & Biomechanical Risk Factors for Incident Bone Stress Injury in Collegiate Runners: Can plantar pressure predict injury?
Authors: Wilzman AR. et al.
Journal: Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
Publication Year: 2022
Abstract
Background: Bone Stress Injury (BSI) is a common reason for missed practices and competitions in elite track and field runners.
Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that, after accounting for medical risk factors, higher plantar loading during running, walking, and athletic movements would predict the risk of future BSI in elite collegiate runners.
Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.
Methods: 39 elite collegiate runners (24 male, 15 female) were evaluated during the 2014-2015 academic year to determine the degree to which plantar pressure data and medical history (including female and male athlete triad risk factors) could predict subsequent BSI. Runners completed athletic movements while plantar pressures and contact areas in seven critical areas of the foot were recorded, and the measurements were reported overall and by specific foot area. Regression models were constructed to determine factors related to incident BSI.
Results: 21 runners (12 male, nine female) sustained ≥1 incident BSI during the study period. Four regression models incorporating both plantar pressure measurements and medical risk factors were able to predict the subsequent occurrence of:
- BSIs in female runners;
- BSIs in male runners;
- Multiple BSIs in either male or female runners; and
- Foot BSIs in female runners.
Model A used Maximum Mean Pressure (MMP) under the first metatarsal during a jump takeoff and only misclassified one female with no BSI. Model B used increased impulses under the hindfoot, second through fifth distal metatarsals while walking, and under the lesser toes during a cutting task, correctly categorizing 83.3% of male runners. Model C used higher medial midfoot peak pressure during a shuttle run and triad cumulative risk scores and correctly classified 93.3% of runners who did not incur multiple BSIs and 66.7% of those who did. Model D included lower hindfoot impulses in the shuttle run and higher first metatarsal MMP during treadmill walking to correctly predict the subsequent occurrence of a foot BSI for 75% of women and 100% without.
Conclusions: The models collectively suggested that higher plantar pressure may contribute to the risk for BSI.
Why the Study Is Relevant
The study aims to measure how plantar pressure mapping technology could predict the risk for BSI occurrence in distance runners. The research addresses a critical topic as BSI represents a prevalent form of overuse injury in the lower extremities, especially in the foot, among distance runner athletes.
The design is a cohort study (longitudinal study) with an acceptable sample size (n=39). The study's main limitations are that the authors used to record plantar pressure measurement with in-shoe pressure insoles worn only on one foot (left) instead of both feet and that the running tasks were performed on a treadmill within a strictly controlled scenario of a lab.
Summary
BSI is a form of lower extremity overuse injury common in distance runners. Different biological factors have been identified as critical in increasing the risk for BSI, including bone mineral density, low energy availability, amenorrhea, and oligo menorrhea. However, biomechanics of foot striking and impact plays a fundamental role, as 40% of BSI injuries occur within the foot structure.
The study's authors aimed to investigate the degree to which plantar pressure mapping technology could predict the occurrence of BSI in elite collegiate runners.
Key Takeaways
- Plantar pressure can predict incident BSI in male and female runners.
- Increased forefoot valgus and a shift toward forefoot loading, in general, may contribute to the risk for BSI.
- Higher regional foot forces may contribute to the risk for BSI.
Read the full study.
Research Title: In-Shoe Plantar Pressure Profiles in Amateur Basketball Players: Implications for footwear recommendations & orthosis use
Authors: Wong PW., Lam WK., Ng WX., Aziz L., Leong HF.
Journal: JJournal of the American Podiatric Medical Association
Publication Year: 2022
Abstract
Background: Biomechanical analysis of foot loading characteristics may provide insights into the injury mechanisms and guide orthotic prescriptions for basketball players. This study aimed to quantify in-shoe plantar pressure profiles in amateur players when executing typical basketball movements.
Methods: Twenty male university basketball players performed four basketball-specific movements tasks-running, maximal forward sprinting, maximal 45° cutting, and layup in a pair of standardized basketball shoes fitted with an in-shoe plantar pressure measurement system. Peak pressure (PP) and pressure-time integral (PTI) data were extracted from ten plantar regions. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed across the tasks, with significance set at P < .05.
Results: Distinct plantar pressure distribution patterns were observed among the four movements. Compared with running, significantly higher (P < .05) PP and PTI of up to approximately 55% were found in sprinting and layup, particularly at the forefoot region. Similarly, significantly higher (P < .05) PPs and PTIs, ranging from approximately 23% to 90%, were observed in 45° cutting compared with running at most foot regions.
Conclusions: Compared with running, sprinting and layup demonstrated higher plantar loading in the forefoot region, and 45° cutting yielded increased plantar loading in most foot regions. Understanding the plantar pressure characteristics of different movements may help optimize footwear designs, orthosis use, or training strategies to minimize regional plantar loading during amateur basketball play.
Why the Study Is Relevant
The study aims to examine in-shoe plantar pressure distribution during four basketball-specific movements (running, maximal forward sprinting, maximal 45° cutting, and layup).
The design of the study has some limitations, as follows:
- The sample size is too small (n=20);
- Pressure measurement has been performed on the right foot only; and
- The system used is not wireless, and the presence of a data logger attached to the waist can significantly affect the natural movement of a basketball player on the court.
Summary
Ankle and foot injuries have been reported as the most commonly injured site in high school basketball players.
Due to the high injury rate among amateur basketball players, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of injury as they relate to foot-loading characteristics.
The study's authors aimed to examine the plantar pressure distribution into the shoe during basketball-specific movements to understand the potential mechanisms of basketball-related injuries.
Key Takeaways
- Different basketball-specific movements result in distinct plantar pressure profiles.
- Sprinting, maximal 45° cutting, and layup show higher in-shoe plantar pressure compared to running.
Read the full study.