• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.83-97
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• 2024

A plantar pressure mat with visual notifications was developed to confirm whether individuals can effectively balance themselves and correct imbalances. The sensor-embedded mat was made with a commercial yoga mat, and was tested on seven working women in their 30s to determine plantar pressure distribution when standing and squatting, and if they could recognize and correct imbalances with visual feedback. The study found that visual notifications significantly changed the plantar pressure ratio of the forefoot and hindfoot, as well as the left and right foot plantar pressure ratio. Without notifications, the center of gravity was more concentrated in the rear foot than the forefoot in both standing and squatting positions. Visual notifications showed that the center of gravity, which was largely focused on the rear foot, was distributed to the forefoot, resulting in a more evenly distributed center of gravity throughout the sole. For the change in left and right plantar pressure, the weight that was largely loaded on the left side was distributed to the right foot through the visual notification mat, confirming a more balanced plantar pressure.