Comparison of Pedobarographic Profiles of Young Males While Walking Barefoot and in Different Footwear

Walking, a fundamental human activity, has significant implications for health. This study aimed to determine the influence of different types of footwear (boots, running shoes, and indoor court shoes) on maximum plantar force and pressure. The sample included 19 healthy male students. Plantar pressures and forces were measured with a pedobarographic device. The maximum forces on the forefoot were highest when walking barefoot and lowest when wearing boots (p < 0.05). For the midfoot, a significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between the barefoot condition and the other three conditions; forces were lowest when walking barefoot. Compared with the other conditions, the maximum forces on the hindfoot were highest when participants wore boots (p < 0.01). The maximum pressure on the forefoot was highest when participants walked barefoot compared with the footwear conditions (p < 0.01). For the midfoot, wearing running shoes resulted in the highest values, which were significantly different (p < 0.01) from those obtained when wearing indoor court shoes or walking barefoot. Compared with the other three conditions, wearing running shoes resulted in the lowest maximum pressure on the hindfoot (p < 0.01). The plantar force and pressure gait parameters indicate that cushioning has biomechanical significance during movement.