The Analysis Of Plantar Pressure Asymmetric Of Children Aged 7-15 Years

The rate of foot abnormalities in primary and secondary school students is as high as 80 %, and bilateral asymmetry in plantar pressure distribution is very prevalent and appears to be at an early age. PURPOSE: To analyze the pattern of plantar pressure asymmetry in children aged 7-15 years based on age factors and to accumulate data on adolescent plantar kinetics. To provide a reference basis for the study of children's foot health problems and the prevention of foot abnormalities. METHOD: In this study, peak plantar pressures in 10 regions of the bilateral plantar foot were collected from 575 children (298 males and 277 females) aged 7-15 years using the Footscan Plantar Pressure Distribution Gait Analysis System from a Belgian company. The index of symmetry of peak bilateral plantar pressures in children of different ages was statistically analyzed to compare the asymmetry of bilateral plantar pressures between different ages. RESULT: The symmetry index of peak pressure in the third metatarsal region was lower in the boys aged 12 years in contrast to the boys aged 7 years (63.31 ± 61.02 vs.21.24 ± 20.05, p = 0.023); The symmetry index of peak pressure in the midfoot region was lower in the boys aged 12 years in contrast to the boys aged 9 years (54.05 ± 56.30 vs. 24.84 ± 22.08, p = 0.045); The symmetry index of peak pressure in the heel lateral region was lower in the boys aged 11-15 years in contrast to the boys aged 8 years (8 Y/O. vs. 11 Y/O. : 69.78 ± 68.87 vs. 27.07 ± 31.61, p = 0.023; 8 Y/O. vs. 12 Y/O. : 69.78 ± 68.87 vs. 34.78 ± 35.71, p = 0.067; 8 Y/O. vs. 13 Y/O. : 69.78 ± 68.87 vs. 33.65 ± 28.19, p = 0.026; 8 Y/O. vs. 14 Y/O. : 69.78 ± 68.87 vs. 31.55 ± 38.18, p = 0.028; 8 Y/O. vs. 15 Y/O. : 69.78 ± 68.87 vs. 29.00 ± 29.05, p = 0.009). Symmetry index of plantar pressure in different zones was not observed in girls aged 7-15 years. CONCLUSIONS: Peak pressures in 10 regions of the plantar foot in children aged 7-15 years tended to become progressively more symmetrical with age. The shift from asymmetry to symmetry in plantar pressure was more significant in the third metatarsal region, midfoot region, and lateral heel region in boys.