Effects of different movement modes on plantar pressure distribution patterns in obese and non-obese Chinese children

Walking, slow running (jogging) and fast running often occur in daily life, Physical Education Class and Physical Fitness Test for children. However, potential impact of jogging and running on plantar pressure of children is not clear. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of plantar pressure distribution patterns in obese and non-obese children during walking, jogging and running, and evaluate biomechanical effects of three movements on obese children. A 2-m footscan plantar pressure plate (RSscan International, Belgium) was used to collect the gait data of 20 obese children (10.69 +/- 2.11 years; 1.51 +/- 0.11 m; 65.15 +/- 14.22 kg) and 20 non obese children (11.02 +/- 1.01 years; 1.48 +/- 0.07m; 38.57 +/- 6.09 kg) during three movements. Paired t-test and independent sample t-test were performed for statistical comparisons and ANOVA was used for comparisons of gait characteristics among three movements. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. Propulsion phase during jogging for obese children was the longest among three movements (p = 0.02). Peak pressures under metatarsal heads IV, V (M4, M5), midfoot (MF), heel medial (HM) and heel lateral (HL) during jogging for obese children were the highest among three movements (p = 0.005, p = 0.003, p = 0.004, p = 0.03, p = 0.01). Arch index (AI) of left foot during jogging for obese children was the largest (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Plantar pressure distribution during three movements changed differently between two groups. The peak pressures under most plantar regions and AI during jogging for obese children were the largest among three movements, indicating that jogging caused more stress to their lower extremities. Obese children perhaps should not consider jogging as regular exercise.