The aim of this study is to determine the effects of forefoot versus hindfoot textured insoles on postural stability and plantar pressure distribution during quiet standing in the elderly.
Twenty-four healthy older adults (aged 65 to 87) participated in this study. Participants were tested for standing balance under four conditions: smooth insoles (SI, i.e., control), forefoot textured insoles (FTI), hindfoot textured insoles (HTI), and entire textured insoles (ETI). For each insole condition, participants assumed a standing position with their eyes closed for 30 seconds. COG and postural stability were measured as the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) using a force platform (Zebris FDM, Japan). COP parameters included the anterior-posterior (AP) mean position, 95% confidence elliptical area, and AP range. Plantar pressure was measured using a foot pressure distribution measuring system (Novel Padar-X system, Germany). The plantar pressure was divided into seven areas: great toe, other toes, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, midfoot, and heel. Pressure values for these areas were presented as relative values (%) with respect to the total pressure on the plantar portion of one foot. A one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to compare the four different insole conditions, with a significance level set at 0.05.
The mean AP position of the COP significantly moved forward in the ETI condition compared to SI (ETI: 95.67±22.96 mm, SI: 92.83±22.85 mm, p=0.032). No significant differences were observed in other COP parameters among the four insole conditions. The lateral forefoot region of the plantar pressure area significantly increased in the FTI and ETI conditions compared to HTI (FTI: 12.19±8.15%, ETI: 11.33±7.61%, HTI: 9.27±7.19%, p=0.001, p=0.045). The plantar pressure at the heel significantly increased in the SI and HTI conditions compared to ETI (SI: 44.57±22.07%, HTI: 43.63±21.84%, ETI: 39.97±21.31%, p=0.048, p=0.028).
We found that textured insole inserted in the forefoot or hindfoot alters the position of COG and plantar pressure distribution.
Our research indicates that using textured insoles partially can alter the COG and plantar pressure distribution in the elderly while standing. To determine if this intervention effectively prevents falls, we plan to increase the number of participants in our study.
Plantar pressure distribution
Fall prevention
