Common Applications of Plantar Pressure Plates in Gait Analysis Experiments
I. Gait Parameter Measurement
Pressure Distribution Analysis
Real-time pressure data from sensors generate dynamic pressure distribution maps, quantifying peak pressure, mean values, and contact points during gait phases (e.g., stance/swing phase).
Gait Feature Extraction
Step Width and Length: Assess gait symmetry, identifying abnormal patterns (e.g., circumduction gait, scissor gait) in hemiplegic or cerebral palsy patients.
COP (Center of Pressure) Deviation: Detect balance deficits, such as festinating gait in Parkinson’s patients or fall risks.
II. Clinical Diagnosis and Rehabilitation Assessment
Foot Disease Screening
Identify structural abnormalities (e.g., flatfoot, hallux valgus) and locate high-pressure zones for diabetic ulcer risk.
Differentiate plantar fasciitis (diffuse morning pain) from tendonitis (localized post-exercise tenderness).
Rehabilitation Efficacy Quantification
Compare pre-/post-intervention pressure distributions to validate orthotic effects.
Dynamically assess postoperative gait improvements (e.g., increased heel contact area after clubfoot correction).
III. Sports Medicine and Physical Training
Injury Prevention
Detect abnormal force lines (e.g., knee valgus) to guide athletes’ running adjustments or custom insoles.
Pediatric Foot Development Monitoring
Early identification of in/toeing or arch collapse trends, combined with growth curves for intervention planning.
IV. Applications for Special Populations
Neurological Patients
Stroke patients’ balance recovery progress can be evaluated via COP displacement data.
Fall Risk Assessment in Elderly
Unstable COP trajectories during single-leg stance tests indicate high fall risks.
Note: Combine static (standing) and dynamic (walking/running) tests, and exclude shoe material interference in data collection.
