Sex differences in pedobarographic findings and relationship between radiograph and pedobarograph measurements in young healthy adults

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics Introduction/Purpose: Although pedobarographic measurement is increasingly used for clinical and research purposes, relatively few published studies have investigated normative data. This study examined pedobarographic findings in young healthy adults with regard to sex-related differences and correlations among measurement indices. Methods: Twenty young healthy adults (mean age 22.4 years, SD 1.2 years; 10 males and 10 females) were included. Weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral foot radiographs were taken, and dynamic pedobarographic data during treadmill walking and maximum ankle dorsiflexion were obtained. AP talo-first metatarsal angle, naviculocuboid overlap, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and plantar soft tissue thickness were measured on foot radiographs. Pedobarographic data including peak pressure and pressure-time integral were measured on five plantar segments: medial forefoot (MFF), lateral forefoot (LFF), medial midfoot (MMF), lateral midfoot (LMF), and heel. Results: Male and female subjects significantly differed in BMI (p<0.001), AP talo-first metatarsal angle (p=0.018), soft tissue thickness under the metatarsal head (p=0.04) and calcaneal tuberosity (p<0.001), maximum dorsiflexion during stance phase (p=0.041), peak pressure on the MFF (p=0.005) and LFF (p=0.004), and pressure-time integral on the MFF (p=0.018) and heel (p=0.001). Maximum dorsiflexion demonstrated significant negative correlations with pressure-time integral on the MFF (r=-0.595, p=0.007) and total pressure-time integral (r=-0.492, p=0.032). Pressure-time integral varus/valgus index was significantly correlated with pressure-time integral forefoot/heel index (r=0.472, p=0.036). Conclusion: Sex-related differences in pedobarographic examination were observed. Achilles stretching exercise was considered to reduce foot pressures, and subtalar joint was hypothesized to play an important role in pressure distribution.