Comparisons of plantar pressures between the elderly and young adults

Abstract Loading variables were compared for 35 elderly (71–90 years) and 35 young adult (aged 18–24) participants. Plantar pressures were measured at 70 Hz with a capacitive platform with a resolution of two sensors per square centimetre. Subjects were required to walk barefoot at their ‘preferred’ gait speed down a 15-m walkway. Gait speed was determined via a photoelectric timing system. Five right foot pressure trials were gathered and stored. During analysis seven plantar regions were identified: one heel, one midfoot, three forefoot (medial, central, and lateral), and two toe (medial toe or hallux and lesser toes). Averages were generated for each loading variable respective to each plantar region. Gait speed was significantly slower for the elderly than the young adults. Thus, gait speed was used as a covariate in a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to detect differences between the young adults and the elderly. Similar loading characteristics were found in the heel region of the foot. For the young adults, greater plantar loading occurred across the midfoot region. There was a difference in the loading rate across the medial forefoot region for the elderly and no differences in force or peak pressures. The medial forefoot region exhibited greatest peak pressure for the elderly. No differences were found between groups in the central forefoot. The elderly exhibited a greater contact area and less contact time. For the elderly, less force was produced relative to the medial toe region. No differences between the loading characteristics of the lateral toe region between the two groups were exhibited.