Plantar Pressure Analysis During Rehabilitative Exercise

This study seeks to analyze plantar pressures as subjects perform activities on standard exercise equipment. F-Scan insoles (Tekscan, South Boston, MA) were used to measure peak pressure, pressure time integrals (PTIs), and contact area in 4 different regions of the foot: the first metatarsal head, second through fifth metatarsal heads, midfoot, and hindfoot. Nine healthy adults participated in multiple trials during stationary bicycling, stair climbing, elliptical exercise, incline and flat treadmill walking, and ground walking. The stationary bike demonstrated the lowest plantar pressures in all regions of the foot, and the stair stepper demonstrated the lowest mean peak pressure of all of the weight-bearing exercises. The stationary bicycle should be considered when reductions in plantar pressure are necessary. The stair stepper should be considered if mechanical loading is desired to maintain bone strength and density and if increased PTI can be tolerated at the forefoot and midfoot.