Temporal values and plantar pressures during normal walking and racewalking in a group of racewalkers.
OBJECTIVE
To compare temporal and pressure values between racewalking and normal walking (freely selected speed) and evaluate the impact of racewalking on normal walking.


METHODS
Temporal and plantar-pressure values were recorded (xPression system) during normal walking and racewalking in 8 high-level racewalkers. The Wilcoxon test was used for comparisons.


METHODS
Duration of walking and racewalking cycle phases (seconds and percentage of the cycle), peak and average pressures under the hind foot and metatarsal heads, and pressure distribution (%) among metatarsal heads.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal walking: temporal parameters similar to those described in normal gait; peak pressures higher than those described in nonracewalkers with displacement toward lateral forefoot. Racewalking: shorter cycles (important decrease of midstance phase); higher peak pressures than during normal walking in the hind foot and 4th and 5th metatarsal heads; average pressures similar to normal walking in hind foot and lower in forefoot; pressure displacement toward lateral forefoot greater than in normal walking.
Villaroya
M Adoracion
MA
Department of Physiatry, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Casajus
Jose Antonio
JA
Perez
Jose Maria
JM
D000054:Acceleration; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000502:physiology; D011312:Pressure; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult