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Use of Plantar Contact Area to Predict Medial Longitudinal Arch Height During Walking

^* Department of Physical Therapy, Gait Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.

Corresponding author: Thomas G. McPoil, PhD, PT, ATC, Department of Physical Therapy, Gait Research Laboratory, Northern Arizona University, Box 15105, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine whether plantar surface contact area measures calculated from footprints collected during walking can be used to predict the height of the medial longitudinal arch. Thirty healthy women participated in the study. Arch height was determined by the distance from the navicular tuberosity to the floor and by the "bony" arch index. Dynamic plantar surface contact area was recorded using a pressure platform as the subjects walked across a 12-m walkway. The arch index and the total plantar surface contact area were determined from the pressure sensor data. The results indicated that plantar surface contact area could be used to estimate only approximately 27% of the height of the medial longitudinal arch as determined by navicular tuberosity height and the bony arch index. These findings demonstrate the inability of the clinician to predict the vertical height of the medial longitudinal arch on the basis of the amount of foot plantar surface area in contact with the ground during walking. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 96(6): 489-494, 2006)