Effect of Anthropometry on Plantar Pressure Distribution during Gait in Overweight Male Subjects

Traditionally, research on plantar pressure in overweight/obese populations has predominantly focused on dividing the plantar surface into two or three regions, considering factors such as body mass index (BMI), age, and gender. This study took a more comprehensive approach, incorporating various anthropometric measurements representing body shape, including arm, leg, and shoulder lengths, as well as thigh, chest, waist, hip, and ankle circumferences. Utilizing retrospective data from overweight but healthy male subjects, the study yielded results revealing robust correlations with Euclidean measurements, circumferential measurements, and circumferential ratios. Interestingly, while no significant correlations were found between peak plantar pressure magnitude and location with BMI, significant correlations were seen with lower arm length (-0.73), shoulder length (0.69), ankle circumference (0.69), thigh circumference (0.66 and 0.68). Incorporating ratios that combined multiple measurements showed promise, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.7. These findings suggest that a comprehensive plantar pressure analysis should not solely rely on BMI but rather include a thorough examination of subject anthropometry. The results also shed light on the feasibility of developing an index for predicting plantar pressure characteristics based on anthropometric data. Further research and expanded datasets are crucial for refining and validating these findings.