Loaded Gait Phase of Normalised Comparison between Older Adults Aged 65-80 Years and Adults Aged 25-45 Years

The study was designed to examine the variations of dynamic plantar pressure between older adults and adults. The purpose of the present study was to highlight the gait patterns of normal walking for the older adults' group by comparing them to the adult subjects' group in five anatomically defined plantar regions to thoroughly understand the causes of impaired balance control during the whole stance phase of the gait cycle. This information should be useful to use as a reference value to compare it with various gait pathologies sustained with advancing age. The study evaluated plantar pressure parameters based on the average weight for each specific group for the comparison between the two selected cohorts. Forty subjects were recruited in the study to perform gait trials at their self-selected speed using an insole pressure sensor system. Measured and analysed normalised plantar pressure parameters, taking into account the percentage of the averaged weight for each group, revealed higher plantar pressure measurements for the older adults' group underneath a number of selected plantar regions, particularly beneath the whole foot, forefoot, and the hallux. This study could be intrinsic to not only scientific research, but also to clinical aspects for assessment and also to the treatment of a diverse range of foot problems that predominantly occur during gait; hence, the study could help to avoid a number of foot complaints that may develop with advancing age.