Pressure Changes at the Fifth Metatarsal Regions during Running with Different Foot Strike Patterns

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze changes in plantar pressure distribution at the fifth metatarsal (M5) during running with different foot strike patterns.Methods: Thirty-five healthy adults ran barefoot over a foot scan pressure plate installed in a 10-m shuttle walkway.Each participant completed 10 trials per strike pattern and mean peak pressures at M1-M5 heads and M5 base of the dominant foot was analyzed.Results: The mean peak pressures at M2-M5 heads increased progressively from heel to midfoot to forefoot strike (p 0.05).Significant differences among strike patterns were found at M2-M5 heads (p 0.05).Post hoc analysis showed that forefoot strike produced significantly higher pressures at M2-M5 heads than heel and midfoot strikes (p 0.001).At M5, peak pressure at the head increased from heel (14.547.82) to midfoot (15.547.75) to forefoot strike (19.377.37),whereas peak pressure at the base decreased from heel (6.271.69)and midfoot strikes (5.851.94) to forefoot strike (4.351.79).At M5, both the head and base demonstrated significant differences according to strike pattern.Conclusion: Plantar pressure patterns vary across foot strike types, with forefoot strike producing greater M5 head loading but lower base loading.These findings suggest that forefoot-based low-intensity running may be considered as an early loading option during rehabilitation after Jones fractures, although further clinical studies are needed to confirm its clinical benefits.