How sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study carried out in women living in southern Italy

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was two-fold: (a) to investigate the relationship between plantar pressure and surface distribution between athletes and sedentary women; and (b) to see the differences, if any, in these parameters between two groups and also the differences between the sports within athletes’ group. Methods: One hundred and seventy-three (173) female participants were enrolled in this study, where ninety-eight (98) were sedentary (age: 24.23 ± 6.11 years; height 161.11 ± 6.44 cm; weight 56.70 ± 8.19 kg; BMI 21.81 ± 2.52 kg/m2; Body Surface Area (BSA) 1.59 ± 0.13; shoe nr. 37.83 ± 1.53) while seventy-five (75) were athletes (age 22.47 ± 4.89 years; height 159.98 ± 5.95 cm; weight 55.49 ± 7.61 kg; BMI 21.62 ± 2.18 kg/m2; BSA 1.57 ± 0.12; shoe nr38.05 ± 1.55). For plantar support analysis, FreeMed posturography system was used, including the FreeMed baropodometric platform as well as FreeStep v.1.0.3 software. Orthostatic position was maintained on the baropodometric platform in order to detect differences Results: No significant differences were found regarding anthropometric data (age, height,weight,BMI,BSAand shoe number).Moreover, no significant differences were detected in total surface, forefoot, rearfoot, total left and total right foot surface between sedentary and athletes, as well. In addition, significant differences between sedentary (50.39 ± 3.60%; 49.61 ± 3.60%) and athletes (52.36 ± 3.76%; 47.64 ± 3.73%) were found in forefoot and rearfoot load (P = 0.0006 and P = 0.0006). Moreover, also the maximal peak pressure and the mean pressure resulted significantly different between groups (Sedentary vs Athletes). Of interest, there were also significant differences between sports (athlete group) in total surface, forefoot and rearfoot surface and total left and right surface and in some load pressure parameters. Conclusions: We can conclude that women who practice sport differ from sedentary ones in forefoot-rearfoot ratio pressure. Moreover, we detected also plantar surface and forefoot-rearfoot ratio pressure differences within the athletes group. Keywords: Sedentary, Athlete, Baropodometry, Plantar pressure distribution References 1. Wong PL, Chamari K, Mao DW et al (2007) Higher plantar pressure on the medial side in four soccer-related movements. Br J Sports Med 41:93–100 2. Gravante G, Russo G, Pomara F et al (2002) Influence of physical activity on plantar pressures and on ground projection of the body barycentre. Med Sport 55:269–278 3. Russo G, Truglio G, Gravante G et al (1998) Analisi baropodometrica statica e dinamica in maratoneti e bodybuilders. Med Sport 51:299–305 4. de Paula Lima PO, Camelo PRP, Ferreira V et al (2017) Evaluation of the isokinetic muscle function, postural control and plantar pressure distribution in capoeira players: a cross-sectional study. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J 7:498–503