This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Molloy, J. M. Articles by McPoil, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Molloy, J. M. Articles by McPoil, T.

Effect of Running Shoe Type on the Distribution and Magnitude of Plantar Pressures in Individuals with Low- or High-Arched Feet

Joseph M. Molloy, PT, PhD, SCS ^*, Douglas S. Christie, PhD ^*, Deydre S. Teyhen, DPT, PhD, OCS ^*, Nancy S. Yeykal, DPT , Bradley S. Tragord, PT, DPT , Matthew S. Neal, DPT , Eric S. Nelson, DPT ^|| and Thomas McPoil, PT, PhD, ATC ^¶

^* US Army–Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, Ft Sam Houston, TX.
Womack Army Medical Center, Ft Bragg, NC.
Bliss Army Health Center, Ft Huachuca, AZ.
General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, Ft Leonard Wood, MO.
^|| Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Ft Gordon, GA.
^¶ Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ.

Corresponding author: Joseph M. Molloy, PT, PhD, SCS, US Army–Baylor University Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, ATTN: MCCS-HGE-PT (COL Joseph Molloy), 3151 Scott Rd, Room 1303, Ft Sam Houston, TX 78234-6138. (E-mail: Joseph.Molloy{at}amedd.army.mil)

Abstract

Background: Research addressing the effect of running shoe type on the low- or high-arched foot during gait is limited. We sought 1) to analyze mean plantar pressure and mean contact area differences between low- and high-arched feet across three test conditions, 2) to determine which regions of the foot (rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot) contributed to potential differences in mean plantar pressure and mean contact area, and 3) to determine the association between the static arch height index and the dynamic modified arch index.

Methods: Plantar pressure distributions for 75 participants (40 low arched and 35 high arched) were analyzed across three conditions (nonshod, motion control running shoes, and cushioning running shoes) during treadmill walking.

Results: In the motion control and cushioning shoe conditions, mean plantar contact area increased in the midfoot (28% for low arched and 68% for high arched), whereas mean plantar pressure decreased by approximately 30% relative to the nonshod condition. There was moderate to good negative correlation between the arch height index and the modified arch index.

Conclusions: Cushioning and motion control running shoes tend to increase midfoot mean plantar contact area while decreasing mean plantar pressure across the low- or high-arched foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(4): 330–338, 2009)