ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Chirurgia Del Piede 2003 March;27(1):19-24

Copyright © 2003 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Analysis of the plantar support and of the centre of pressure in teenagers. A comparison between female rowers and sedentaries

Russo G., Gravante G., Amato G.,Genduso D., Amato C., Pomara F.

Aim. Differences between active and sedentary female teenagers have been verified on the plantar surfaces, loads and Centre of Pressure (CoP).
Methods. By means of an electronic modular clinical baropodometer, we analysed the plantar support and body barycentre of 24 female adolescents: 10 rowers (age, mean±SD: 14.25±1.60 years, range 12-17 years) and 14 sedentaries (age, mean±SD: 15.00±1.24 years, range 12-17 years).
Results. The rowers, with similar physical characteristics of the control group, had a total support surface significantly greater (p<0.05) than the control group, with an increase in both right and left foot imprint (p<0.05, respectively), especially for the greater forefoot areas (p<0.05). The loads percentage on the forefoot regions were significantly greater (p<0.005) in the rowers than in the control group; the CoP was significantly shifted more forward in the rowers compared to the control group (p<0.0001); the forward shifting of CoP was calculated considering the B segment, i.e. the distance between the posterior border of the plantar imprints and the position of the CoP on the polygon of support.
Conclusion. In female teenagers, rowing is associated with an increase of the plantar support and a greater load on the anterior portions of the feet; the CoP in rowers is significantly shifted forward compared to the sedentaries.