Pedro Silvelo Franco

Análise da variabilidade e repetibilidade da pressão plantar durante a marcha de idosos

INTRODUCTION Repeatability and variability of the plantar pressure during walking are important components in the clinical assessment of the elderly. However, there is a lack of information on the uniformity of plantar pressure patterns in the elderly. OBJECTIVE To analyze the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure considering mean, peak and asymmetries during aged gait. METHODS Plantar pressure was monitored in four different days for ten elderly subjects (5 female), with mean±standard-deviation age of 73±6 years, walking barefoot at preferred speed. Data were compared between steps for each day and between different days. RESULTS Mean and peak plantar pressure values were similar between the different days of evaluation. Asymmetry indexes were similar between the different days evaluated. CONCLUSION Plantar pressure presented a consistent pattern in the elderly. However, the asymmetry indexes observed suggest that the elderly are exposed to repetitive asymmetric loading during locomotion. Such result requires further investigation, especially concerning the role of these asymmetries for development of articular injuries.bility and variability of the plantar pressure during walking are imporeywords: Introduction: Repeata ait inetics tant components in the clinical assessment of the elderly. However, there is a lack of information on the uniformity of plantar pressure patterns in the elderly. ∗ Autor para correspondência. E-mail: carpes@unipampa.edu.br (F.P. Carpes). ttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbr.2015.03.006 482-5004/© 2015 Elsevier Editora Ltda. Todos os direitos reservados. 428 r e v b r a s r e u m a t o l . 2 0 1 5;5 5(5):427–433 Aging Biomechanics Foot Objective: To analyze the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure considering mean, peak and asymmetries during aged gait. Methods: Plantar pressure was monitored in four different days for ten elderly subjects (5 female), with mean ± standard-deviation age of 73 ± 6 years, walking barefoot at preferred speed. Data were compared between steps for each day and between different days. Results: Mean and peak plantar pressure values were similar between the different days of evaluation. Asymmetry indexes were similar between the different days evaluated. Conclusion: Plantar pressure presented a consistent pattern in the elderly. However, the asymmetry indexes observed suggest that the elderly are exposed to repetitive asymmetric loading during locomotion. Such result requires further investigation, especially concerning the role of these asymmetries for development of articular injuries.

Within and between-days repeatability and variability of plantar pressure measurement during walking in children, adults and older adults

BackgroundPrevious studies discussed the repeatability and variability in plantar pressure measurement, but a few considered different age groups. Here we determine within and between-days repeatability and variability of plantar pressure measurement during gait in participants from different age groups.MethodPlantar pressure was recorded in children, young adults and older adults walking at preferred speed in four non-consecutive days within one week. Data from 10 steps from each foot in each day were analyzed considering the different regions of the foot. Mean and peak plantar pressure and data variability were compared between the steps, foot regions and days.ResultsTo describe mean and peak pressure during gait in children and adults a single measurement can be enough, but elderly will requires more attention especially concerning peak values. Variability in mean pressure did not differ between age groups, but peak pressure variability differed across foot regions and age groups.ConclusionOne single observation can be used to describe plantar pressure during gait in children and adults. When the interest concerns older people, it might be pertinent to consider more than one day of assessment, especially when looking at peak pressure.