Relation between Anterior-Posterior Foot Pressure Ratio and Kindergartens’ Barefoot Policy

This study aimed at clarifying the relation between anterior-posterior foot pressure ratio and kindergartens’ barefoot policy. Participants included 257 preschool children (125 boys and 132 girls) attending kindergartens with a barefoot policy and 316 preschool children (157 boys and 159 girls) attending kindergartens without this policy. An instrument called Foot view Clinic was used to measure the anterior- posterior foot pressure ratio. Participants maintained an upright posture on the instrument for 10 seconds. The posterior foot pressure proportion for each participant’s feet was used to evaluate heel load, and the mean of a 10-second measurement was used for analysis. Among boys, posterior foot pressure was significantly lower for those attending kindergartens following a barefoot policy than for those attending kindergartens not following a barefoot policy. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in the posterior foot pressure ratio between girls who played barefoot and those who did not. Therefore, in conclusion, kindergartens’ barefoot policy affects children’s anterior-posterior foot pressure ratio and reduces the posterior foot pressure ratio in boys.