Received 10 December 2008; received in revised form 23 March 2009; accepted 31 March 2009. published online 14 May 2009.
Abstract
Background
Women and men are anatomically and physiologically different in a number of ways. Anthropometric studies have shown considerable differences in the foot bones of both genders. These differences could potentially mean different foot pressures in men and women.
Objective
The aim of our study was to investigate any potential foot pressure differences between males and females using the Pedar®-M (Novel gmbh, Germany) in-shoe foot pressure measurement system.
Methods
Twenty-eight subjects (16 females and 12 males) were recruited. Peak pressure, contact area, contact time, pressure–time integral, force–time integral, instant of peak pressure, maximum force and mean force were recorded and subsequently analysed.
Results
In males, contact area was significantly larger in all regions of the foot compared with females. There were no significant between gender differences in peak pressure, contact time, pressure–time integral and instant of peak pressure. Force–time integral was significantly greater in males than females under the 1st, 3rd, and 4th metatarsal heads. Maximum force was also significantly higher in males under the heel, 1st and 3rd metatarsal heads. Mean force was greater in males under the 3rd metatarsal head.
Conclusion
There were no peak pressure differences; however the contact area of the male foot was larger than that in females.
ABSTRACT