Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Foot transverse arch integrity and stability are crucial to fulfill the foot function. Forefoot excessive bearing is a main cause of foot transverse arch deformation. Studies on load-bearing type of foot transverse arch in China are rarely reported.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the impulse peak regions of walking foot, to distinguish the load-bearing type of foot transverse arch, and to provide the basis for the prevention and recovery of foot injury.
METHODS: The dynamic plantar pressure distribution of 1 000 female college students during natural walking were tested and analyzed by Footscan high frequency plantar pressure testing system. And the gait characteristics, impulse in support phase, time phase, strephenopodia and strephexopodia were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION：According to cluster analysis, there were 109 cases of metatarsusⅠload-bearing type, 213 cases of metatarsusⅡ/Ⅲ load-bearing type, 517 cases of metatarsus Ⅲ load-bearing type, and 161 cases of metatarsus Ⅲ/Ⅳ load-bearing type. Time percentage of outside-ground phase in metatarsus Ⅰload-bearing type was greater than that in the three other types, and the different was significant. Strephexopodia proportion in metatarsusⅠ load-bearing type was the largest, and the proportion minished in order of metatarsusⅡ/Ⅲ, metatarsus Ⅲ and metatarsus Ⅲ/Ⅳ load-bearing types. According to plantar pressure analysis, there are 4 load-bearing types of foot transverse arch in natural walking human. Among them, the metatarsus Ⅰ load-bearing type is prone to endure forefoot injury. These findings will help to illustrate the walking foot function.