Plantar pressure parameters, type and sensitivity of the foot in recruits: a prospective study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of plantar pressure, type of foot and plantar sensitivity of recruits during the period of compulsory military service. Sixty individuals who performed compulsory military service were assessed for plantar pressure (EPS LoranEngineering baropodometer, Bologna, Italy) and plantar sensitivity to superficial touch (esthesiometer - Semmes-Weinsten Monofilaments) at three different times: March (baseline), June (after 16 weeks of training) and September (after 36 weeks of military training). Antero-posterior and latero-lateral weight bearing, mean pressure, maximum pressure, foot contact area, foot typology were evaluated. and plantar sensitivity. The data were analyzed using the chi-squared test, Anova repeated measures and Friedman test with Bonferroni pos hoc (p<0,05). There was an increase in contact area (p=0,001) and mean pressure of both feet (p<0,001). As for the typology, an average of 60% of the individuals have the dominant foot of the normal type, while the non-dominant foot are cavus (50.3%), that is, the same subjects presented different typologies of the foot. Regarding plantar sensitivity, there was a difference in the midfoot region over training time (p=0.001 in the dominant foot and p=0.009 in the non-dominant foot). These results demonstrated that there was an increase in average pressure and total foot contact area, and also plantar sensitivity alterations throughout the mandatory military period.