Differences in the Foot Pressures Between Gipsy and Urban Boys

Athanasios Tsiokanos, Yannis Koutsioras, Georgios Goutziomitros, Georgios Manolas, Christos
Chalitsios, Aggelos Pappas,& Athanasios Jamourtas

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in pressure distribution under the foot between gipsy and urban school boys during standing and walking tasks. Twenty gipsy and twenty urban healthy boys (age 11-12 years) performed two activities (standing on two feet and walking) on a Commex pressure platform system. Relative and maximal pressures were determined for six areas ofthe foot. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with anthropometric parameters as covariates, revealedthat, for the variables tested, there were significant differences in the static and dynamic measurements. The main differences consisted in higher urban maximal and averagestatic pressuresin 2nd -3rd metatarsal area and inversely in higher gipsy corresponding pressures in 4th-5th metatarsal area.

Key words:plantar pressure; children; foot; gait; standing position; gipsy; urban