title: The relationships between foot arch volumes and dynamic plantar pressure during midstance of walking in preschool children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the foot arch volume measured from static positions and the plantar pressure distribution during walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 27 children, two to six years of age, were included in this study. Measurements of static foot posture were obtained, including navicular height and foot arch volume in sitting and standing positions. Plantar pressure, force and contact areas under ten different regions of the foot were obtained during walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The foot arch index was correlated (r = 0.32) with the pressure difference under the midfoot during the foot flat phase. The navicular heights and foot arch volumes in sitting and standing positions were correlated with the mean forces and pressures under the first (r = -0.296∼-0.355) and second metatarsals (r = -0.335∼-0.504) and midfoot (r = -0.331∼-0.496) during the stance phase of walking. The contact areas under the foot were correlated with the foot arch parameters, except for the area under the midfoot.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The foot arch index measured in a static position could be a functional index to predict the dynamic foot functions when walking. The foot arch is a factor which will influence the pressure distribution under the foot. Children with a lower foot arch demonstrated higher mean pressure and force under the medial forefoot and midfoot, and lower contact areas under the foot, except for the midfoot region. Therefore, children with flatfoot may shift their body weight to a more medial foot position when walking, and could be at a higher risk of soft tissue injury in this area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Department of Physical Therapy, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsun-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsiao-Feng
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Chieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Ju
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fong-Chin
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-June
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011312:Pressure; D016138:Walking
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