Analysis of Plantar Pressure during the Running in Place over Different Surfaces

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the Maximum Force and Peak Pressure of the foot on three surfaces commonly used for running in place training (artificial turf, rubber floor and flat trampoline). Force and pressure were recorded in 36 amateur runners using instrumented insoles (Gebiomized® Munster, Germany). The following parameters were obtained: Maximum Force (N) and Peak Pressure (N/cm2) in 6 specific areas of the foot. According to the results, the maximum force exerted by the dominant foot on artificial turf (657 N) and rubber floor (692.5 N) was significantly higher than the recorded on the trampoline (262 N). Regarding the pressure, most of the pressure exerted by the foot on hard surfaces (artificial turf and technical floor), was observed in the heads of the metatarsals, while in the trampoline the pressure was distributed in the heads of the metatarsals and the calcaneus.