Principle and Application of Foot Pressure Testing in Sports
I. Principle Analysis
Core Detection Principle
Foot pressure testing records the pressure distribution, force changes, and time characteristics of the foot’s contact with the ground during movement through a high-density pressure sensor array (commonly found in pressure plates, force measurement treadmills, or smart insoles).
Main Technical Principles
- Resistive Film: The greater the pressure, the smaller the resistance, resulting in changes in the output voltage signal.
- Capacitive: Pressure causes changes in capacitance.
- Piezoelectric: The force generates a charge, which is converted into an electrical signal.
Sensor Working Mechanism:
- Collection Method: High-speed sampling (typically ≥100Hz), ensuring the accuracy of instantaneous data during high-speed actions such as running and jumping.
- Data Processing: Algorithms are used to extract gait cycle, peak pressure, center of pressure (COP) trajectory, push-off force, symmetry between left and right feet, and other parameters.
Key Parameters
- Temporal Parameters: Gait cycle, stance/swing phase duration.
- Spatial Parameters: Step length, step frequency, step width.
- Mechanical Parameters: Pressure peaks in different foot areas (forefoot, heel, inner side, outer side), contact area.
- Dynamic Indicators: Center of pressure trajectory (COP curve), push-off force, cushioning ability.
II. Applications in Sports
Optimization of Sports Performance
- Measure the foot’s impact force distribution during takeoff and landing to guide training and prevent joint injuries.
- Analyze the force patterns during directional changes and quick stops to improve agility and stability.
- Analyze the landing pattern of the forefoot/heel while running to determine if the running posture is correct.
- Detect step frequency, step length, and impact force to optimize energy efficiency.
Running Training:
- Ball Sports (Basketball, Football, etc.):
Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Plantar Fasciitis: Typically manifests as abnormal pressure concentration in the heel area.
- Achilles Tendinitis/Patellar Tendinitis: Detect abnormal loads through push-off force and landing impact.
- Abnormal Pronation/Supination (Excessive Inversion/Eversion): Determined by COP trajectory deviation.
Common Injury-Related Analysis:
- Rehabilitation Tracking: Compare gait parameters before and after rehabilitation to objectively assess recovery.
Personalized Sports Equipment Design
- Running Shoes/Sports Shoes Design: Optimize sole support and cushioning structures based on gait pressure data for different groups.
- Custom Insoles: Customize orthotic insoles for athletes based on foot pressure distribution, improving force distribution, comfort, and athletic performance.
Competitive Sports Scientific Research
- Collect foot pressure data from high-level athletes during different actions (such as sprinting, quick stops, turning, jumping) to build a sports performance database.
- Compare the effects of different technical actions or training methods on foot pressure.
III. Typical Cases
- Marathon Training: Foot pressure testing helps runners identify gait changes caused by fatigue during long distances, reducing exercise-related injuries.
- Basketball Players: Test landing impact to improve jump training and shoe cushioning design.
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Centers: Use foot pressure devices to track ligament injuries and post-surgery knee joint recovery.
