Running and Walking Foot Loading in Children Aged 4-10 Years

While previous reports have provided normative plantar pressure data for walking in children, evaluation during running is lacking. Our study aimed to compare foot loading patterns during running and walking in children aged 4-10 years. Furthermore, the relationship between running baropodometric parameters and anthropometric measures was investigated. Foot loading of 120 volunteers was evaluated during running and walking using an Emed AT-4 pressure platform. Analyses were performed for 5 anatomical regions (rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, hallux and lesser toes). Higher peak pressure and maximum force values were seen under most foot regions during running in comparison to walking, while relative contact area tended to increase only in the midfoot. Data for running indicated that aging explained less than 23% of the variance of plantar loads and contact area. Running foot loads were more associated with height, body mass and foot length. Our data described plantar loads under the feet of children were grea...