Pressure distribution patterns under the feet of children in comparison with adults.

Peak pressures and regional impulses were determined under the feet of 15 children and 111 adults by means of a capacitive pressure distribution platform. The measurements were taken during walking and running and revealed insights into foot function during the process of locomotion skill acquisition. Considerably reduced peak pressures in the infant group could be attributed to a softer foot structure and a lower body-weight to foot-contact area ratio. An almost three times higher relative load under the midfoot of the infant foot shows that the longitudinal foot arch is still a weak structure. Within a few months of gait development remarkable changes toward an adult loading pressure pattern were observed.