Have you noticed that some people tend to walk with in-toeing or experience pain in the heel, with discomfort in the lower limbs and knees following?
In fact, this is mainly related to uneven pressure distribution on the soles of the feet. There is now a tool called the plantar pressure measurement system, which can help you “see” the distribution of pressure on your feet and analyze gait problems. At the same time, it can also provide guidance for insoles and rehabilitation training.
1. What is the plantar pressure measurement system
The popular way to describe it is that the plantar pressure measurement system is a high-tech “foot detector.”
It measures the pressure on different parts of your feet while standing, walking, or running, either through a pressure sensor mat laid on the ground or insoles embedded with sensors. The system converts these pressure data into heat maps or curve graphs so you can observe the specific pressure on areas such as the heel, arch, and forefoot. Red represents high pressure, while green or blue represents low pressure.
2. How the system works
The principle is actually not complicated. When your foot steps on the sensor, the sensor senses the pressure and converts the force into an electrical signal. The data acquisition device records these signals, and analysis software produces visualized charts. The system can record both static standing and dynamic walking data, showing pressure changes, center of gravity movement, and gait cycle information, quantitatively describing the foot’s pressure status.
3. What the plantar pressure measurement system can help you do
Guide for insoles and orthotic devices
Many people gain little benefit from ordinary shoes because their foot pressure is uneven. The plantar pressure measurement system can tell you which areas of the sole have higher pressure and which areas need support. This information allows for custom-made insoles or orthotic shoes to balance pressure and make walking more comfortable.
Prevent sports injuries
When running, jumping, or standing for a long time, if the pressure distribution is unreasonable, it can easily lead to plantar fasciitis and pain in the knees or calves. Through this measurement system, high-pressure areas can be detected in advance, and body posture or insoles can be adjusted to reduce the risk of injury.
Rehabilitation tracking
For foot injuries or postoperative patients, doctors can monitor the rehabilitation progress using the system. By comparing pressure maps at different stages, they can judge the balance of foot recovery and adjust rehabilitation training or insole plans accordingly.
4. How to use and interpret the data
The usage is very simple: stand on the pressure mat or walk a few steps wearing shoes with sensors, and the system will generate heat maps and curves.
Looking at the red high-pressure areas, you can understand which parts have higher pressure and need attention or support. Green or blue areas indicate lower pressure, meaning overall pressure distribution is relatively balanced.
