Analysis of Plantar Pressure Distribution and Asymmetry According to Preferred Walking Speed and Body Mass Index

Analysis of Plantar Pressure Distribution and Asymmetry According to Preferred Walking Speed and Body Mass Index. Journal of the Korean Society for Clothing Industry, 27(4).

Bae, Y. Y.¹, Choi, J. Y.²,Choi, H. E.¹,²^†

1 Department of Fashion and Textiles, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

2 Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

 The human foot serves as the primary interface for weight-bearing and locomotive stability, making the analysis of Plantar Pressure Distribution (PPD) and bilateral asymmetry essential for identifying biomechanical risks such as falls and lower limb injuries (Menz, 2003). While diverse factors influence these patterns, the relationship between Preferred Walking Speed (PWS) and Body Mass Index (BMI) is particularly significant due to their direct impact on gait mechanics and loading distribution (Browning & Kram, 2007; Lai et al., 2008). This study investigated how PWS and BMI interact with plantar pressure characteristics in 15 male participants (aged 50–69) with diabetes, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for individualized footwear design and gait management.

 The experimental methodology involved a two-minute treadmill walking session to determine individual PWS, followed by repeated three-minute trials at the prescribed speed using a Zebris FDM-TR70 system. Data were meticulously categorized into the Forefoot, Midfoot, and Hindfoot regions to calculate the Asymmetry Index (AI) and Plantar Pressure Difference (PPD). Statistical rigor was maintained through Spearman correlation to assess linear relationships and the Kruskal-Wallis test to evaluate differences across gait speed and BMI groups.

Table 2. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients Matrix among APP Variables, PWS, and BMI

*<.05, **<.01, ***<.001

Table 3. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients Matrix among MPP Variables by Foot Region, PWS, and BMI

*<.05, **<.01, ***<.001

Results indicated that the Hindfoot consistently sustained the highest pressure concentration (33.34–36.11 N/cm²), reflecting the biomechanical impact during Initial Contact. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between bilateral pressure patterns (p < .001), suggesting that the feet generally operate as a synchronized unit to support body weight and generate propulsion (Tables 2 & 3). Notably, an increase in PWS was significantly associated with elevated mean plantar pressure and peak pressure in the Forefoot (p < .001), which aligns with the mechanical requirements for propulsion during faster locomotion. However, while high-speed walking maintained better overall symmetry, it induced higher regional asymmetry in the Midfoot and Hindfoot (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Comparison of Plantar Pressure Asymmetry by PWS Group

Figure 3. Comparison of Plantar Pressure Asymmetry by BMI Group

 The influence of BMI on gait stability was equally pronounced. A higher BMI was found to be positively correlated with increased bilateral imbalance (0.2 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.4), with the Obesity group exhibiting the most significant asymmetry, particularly in the Midfoot (Fig. 3). This highlights a specific biomechanical vulnerability where excess body weight compromises the foot's pressure redistribution capacity. Furthermore, participants in the Low-speed walking group showed higher levels of mean pressure asymmetry compared to faster walkers, suggesting that slow walking may be an indicator of underlying stability issues that require corrective intervention.

 In conclusion, this research underscores the necessity of considering individual velocity and body composition in the development of functional footwear and orthotics. The findings demonstrate that faster walking increases forefoot loading while maintaining symmetry, whereas higher BMI and slower speeds exacerbate bilateral imbalances. Therefore, specialized design strategies focusing on enhancing midfoot stability for high-BMI individuals and securing pressure balance for slow walkers are required. These results provide critical empirical evidence for advancing Clothing Ergonomics and designing therapeutic footwear that improves both clinical efficacy and User Adherence.