• 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.

• KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems (TIIS)
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.3875-3891
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• 2021

In this study, a Velostat pressure sensor was manufactured to develop a plantar pressure measurement system and a C#-based application was developed to monitor and collect plantar pressure data in real time. In order to evaluate the characteristics of the proposed plantar pressure measurement system, the accuracy of plantar pressure index and personal classification was verified by comparing with MatScan, a commercial plantar pressure measurement system. As a result, the output characteristics according to the weight of the Velostat pressure sensor were evaluated and a trend line with the reliability of r² = 0.98 was detected. The Root Mean Square Error(RMSE) of the weighted area was 11.315 cm², the RMSE of the x coordinate of Center of Pressure(CoP_x) was 1.036 cm and the RMSE of the y coordinate of Center of Pressure(CoP_y) was 0.936 cm. Finally, inaccuracy of personal classification, the proposed system was 99.47% and MatScan was 96.86%. Based on the advantage of being simple to implement and capable of manufacturing at low cost, it is considered that it can be applied to various fields of measuring vital signs such as sitting posture and breathing in addition to the plantar pressure measurement system.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined the dynamic peak plantar pressure under the foot areas in those with a functional leg length inequality. Methods: The dynamic peak plantar pressure under the foot areas in an experimental group with a functional leg length inequality (n=20) and a control group (n=20) was assessed a using the Mat-Scan system (Tekscan, USA). The peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3-4th and 5th metatarsal head (MTH), mid foot, and heel was measured while the subject was walking on the Mat-Scan system. Results: The experimental group had significantly higher peak plantar pressure under all foot areas when the dynamic peak plantar pressure in the short leg and long leg sides was compared. The control group had a significantly higher peak plantar pressure under the 1st, 2nd, 3-4th, and 5th MTH when the dynamic peak plantar pressure in the short leg and long leg sides were compared. The experimental group showed a significantly larger difference in the dynamic peak plantar pressure under the hallux, 1st, 2nd, 3-4th and 5th MTH, mid foot and heel than the control group. Conclusion: A functional leg length inequality leads to an increase in the weight distribution and dynamic peak plantar pressure in the side of the short leg.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2002

Foot ulceration results in substantial morbidity in patients with peripheral neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship of plantar foot pressures during walking to plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease. The subjects were recuruited from two Welfare Clinic for Hansen's disease in Wonju and Uiwang city. Ten subjects (5 females, 5 males) with plantar ulceration and a mean age of 63 years were evaluated in this study. The mean duration of Hansen's disease in these subjects was 30 years. Plantar pressures were measured during self-selected comfortable walking speed by using MatScan system. Three subjects had plantar ulceration under the first metatarsal head. Five subjects had plantar ulceration under the second and third metatarsal head. Two subjects had plantar ulcers under the fifth metatarsal head. Eight of 10 subjects had plantar ulceration at highest pressure point that measured during walking. This result suggests that the abnormal high plantar pressure could be related factor to plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease. Also the foot pressure measurement may be useful to evaluate the risk of plantar ulceration in patients with Hansen's disease.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to find the effect of rear foot wedge angle on peak plantar pressures on the forefoot during walking. Twenty normal healthy subjects (10 female, 10 male) were recruited. Peak plantar pressure was measured using pressure distribution platforms (MatScan system) in medial forefoot (under the first, second metatarsal head) and lateral forefoot (under the third, fourth, fifth metatarsal head). The subjects walked at the comfortable velocity under seven conditions; bare footed, $5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$ and $15^{\circ}$ wedges under the medial and lateral sides of the hindfoot. The three averaged peak plantar pressures were collected at each condition at stance and toe off phases. The results showed that a significant increase in lateral forefoot plantar peak pressure investigated in the medial wedge and a significant decrease in lateral forefoot plantar peak pressure investigated in lateral wedge at stance phase (p<.05). These results suggest that rear foot wedge may be useful to modify the peak plantar pressure on the forefoot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2024

Purpose: Foot pressure measurement devices are used widely in clinical settings for plantar pressure assessments. Despite the availability of various devices, studies evaluating the inter-device reliability are limited. This study compared plantar pressure measurements obtained from HR Mat (Tekscan Inc.) and EMED-n50 (Novel GmbH). Materials and Methods: The study involved 38 healthy male volunteers. The participants were categorized into two groups based on the Meary's angle in standing foot lateral radiographs: those with normal feet (angles ranging from -4° to 4°) and those with mild flatfeet (angles from -8° to -15°). The static and dynamic plantar pressures of the participants were measured using HR Mat and EMED-n50. The reliability of the contact area and mean force was assessed using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Furthermore, the differences in measurements between the two devices were examined, considering the presence of mild flatfoot. Results: The ICC values for the contact area and mean force ranged from 0.703 to 0.947, indicating good-to-excellent reliability across all areas. EMED-n50 tended to record higher contact areas than HR Mat. The mean force was significantly higher in the forefoot region when measured with EMED-n50, whereas, in the hindfoot region, this difference was observed only during static measurements with HR Mat. Participants with mild flatfeet exhibited significantly higher contact areas in the midfoot region for both devices, with no consistent differences in the other parameters. Conclusion: The contact area and mean force measurements of the HR Mat and EMED-n50 showed high reliability. On the other hand, EMED-n50 tended to record higher contact areas than HR Mat. In cases of mild flatfoot, an increase in contact area within the midfoot region was observed, but no consistent impact on the differences between the two devices was evident.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shift of COP pathway and the plantar foot pressure among level walking and stairs and ramp climbing in young and elderly people. Plantar foot pressure was measured by MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Statistical analysis was used One-way ANOVA to know the characteristics of peak plantar pressure during walking with different the facilities. In young adults, COP pathway during stairs climbing was slightly shorten and trended to abduct at forefoot. COP pathway during ramp climbing was also shorten but trend to adduct at forefoot. Peak plantar pressure of 2-3 metatarsal head and heel during ramp climbing was more decreased than level walking. In elderly people, COP pathway during stairs climbing was more shorten and abducted than leve walking and COP pathway during ramp climbing was more unstable than level walking. Peak plantar pressure of first metatarsal head increased at stair climbing and decreased at ramp climbing. That of second metatarsal head and heel was more decreased at ramp climbing. Conclusionally, Peak plantar pressures of each foot region generally increased and more changed during ramp climbing.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two different lifting posture on the plantar foot pressure, force and COP(center of pressure) trajectory path during object lifting. Fourteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal disorders were instructed to lift with two postures(stoop and squat) and two object weights(empty box and 10 kg box). Plantar foot pressures, forces and COP trajectory path were recorded by the F-mat system(Tekscan, Boston, USA) during object lifting with barefoot. Plantar foot surface was defined as seven regions for pressure measurement; two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region and one heel region. Paired t-test was used to compare the outcomes of peak pressure and maximum force with different two lifting postures and two object weights. Plantar peak pressure and maximum force under hallux was significantly greater in squat posture than stoop posture during the two different boxes lifting(p<.05). During the empty box lifting, maximum force under lessor toes was significantly less and plantar peak pressure under second metatarsal region was significantly greater in squat than stoop(p<.05). Maximum force under heel was significantly less in squat than stoop posture during 10kg box lifting(p<.05). Finally, COP trajectory path was significantly greater in squat than stoop(p<.05). These findings confirm that there are significantly change in the structure and function of the foot during the object lifting with different posture. Future studies should focus on the contribution of both structural and functional change to the development of common foot problems in adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.77-95
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• 2003

Many factors affect foot and ankle biomechanics during walking, including gait speed and anthropometric characteristics. However, speed has not been taken into account in foot kinematics and kinetics during walking. This study examined the effect of walking speed on foot joint motion and peak plantar pressure during the walking phase. Eighty healthy subjects (40 men, 40 women) were recruited. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion were measured at the first metatarsophalangeal joints during walking phase at three different cadences (80, 100, and 120 step/min) using a three dimensional motion analysis system (CMS70P). At the same time, peak plantar pressure was investigated using pressure distribution platforms (MatScan system) under the hallux heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones and heel. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion and excursion at the ankle joint decreased significantly with increasing walking speed. Peak plantar pressure increased significantly under the heads of the first of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones, and heel with increasing walking speed: three was no change under the hallux. There were no significant changes in maximal dorsiflexion or excursion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The results show that walking speed should be considered when comparing gait parameters. The results also suggest that slow walking speeds may decrease forefoot peak plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy who have a high risk of skin breakdown under the forefoot.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

Hemiplegia-induced immobilizatoin and reduction of mechanical loading in chronic stroke limbs are common cause of disuse osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of asymmetrical weight bearing on the loss of bone mineral in the individual with chronic stroke. Sixteen hemiplegic patients with strokes were evaluated. The measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated with the quantitative ultrasound system on the calcaneus region of the paretic and non-paretic side. Plantar pressure was measured using the Mat-Scan system. The paretic side showed significantly smaller values in the T-score of BMD, and peak value of plantar pressure, which included forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot, than the non-paretic side (p<.05). Results from the pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant correlation between the BMD difference and the peak-pressure difference of midfoot pressure (p<.05). This finding indicated that BMD loss depended on decrease of body weight born on the paretic leg.