The Use of Plantar Pressure Distribution System in Health Examination of the Elderly
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The Use of Plantar Pressure Distribution System in Health Examination of the Elderly

2025-08-29

Common Foot Problems in the Elderly and Their Close Relationship with Abnormal Plantar Pressure Distribution

Elderly people commonly suffer from foot problems that are closely related to abnormal plantar pressure distribution, mainly including the following categories:

Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by long-term stress or strain, manifested as pain when getting up after sleep or sitting for a long time, directly related to uneven plantar pressure distribution.

Heel Spur: With age, the fatty tissue of the heel pad degenerates, collagen, water and elastic fiber tissue gradually decrease, and chronic traction injury of the plantar muscles and ligaments leads to spur formation.

Arch Abnormalities:

  • Flatfoot: The arch is low or absent, causing uneven plantar pressure distribution when walking.

  • High Arch: The arch is too high, leading to plantar pressure concentrated on the forefoot and heel.

Poor Blood Circulation: Arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs or obstruction of venous return leads to insufficient blood supply to the feet, causing soreness and pain.

These foot problems significantly alter the plantar pressure distribution patterns of the elderly, thereby affecting gait and balance, and increasing the risk of falls.

Plantar Pressure Distribution Testing System eMat460

Detection Process of Plantar Pressure Distribution System

In elderly health examinations, the standard operation process of the plantar pressure distribution system includes the following steps:

1. Preparation before Detection

  • Equipment check: Ensure power cable and USB cable are properly connected, and the computer software runs normally.

  • Cleaning and disinfection: Wipe device surface with alcohol to maintain hygiene.

  • Examinee preparation: Remove shoes and socks, wear comfortable clothing.

2. Static Measurement

  • The examinee stands barefoot on the pressure sensing plate, feet apart at shoulder width.

  • Maintain a natural upright posture, look straight ahead, relax and stand for 3–8 seconds.

  • The system collects data such as foot shape judgment, left and right foot center of gravity distribution, and single-foot plantar center of gravity distribution.

3. Dynamic Measurement

  • The examinee walks naturally on the pressure plate for 3–5 round trips.

  • The system records the complete gait cycle (landing, support, push-off phases) pressure changes.

  • Analyze gait indicators such as frequency, stride length, step width, and plantar pressure peak position and magnitude.

4. Balance Test

  • The examinee stands on one foot on the pressure sensor.

  • Maintain balance for 30 seconds under both open-eye and closed-eye conditions.

  • The system records the trajectory of center-of-gravity movement and evaluates balance ability.

5. Data Analysis and Report Generation

  • The system automatically generates a visual report, including pressure peak distribution diagrams and center-of-gravity movement trajectory diagrams.

  • Compare measured values with the healthy population database matched by age and gender.

  • Identify abnormal stress areas and gait problems.

Special Evaluation Indicators of Plantar Pressure in the Elderly

For the elderly, plantar pressure analysis requires special attention to the following indicators:

Static Indicators:

  • Arch curvature: Normal value is 10°–15°, less than 10° may indicate flatfoot.

  • Plantar pressure value: Normal range is 100–150 mmHg, higher than 150 mmHg suggests abnormality.

  • Center of gravity deviation: The center of gravity of the elderly usually shifts forward, increasing fall risk.

Dynamic Indicators:

  • Gait symmetry: Difference in plantar pressure distribution between left and right feet should be less than 10%.

  • Center of Pressure (COP) trajectory: The “gold standard” for assessing balance ability; the average COP velocity in the elderly is 26.0 cm/s.

  • Loading rate: Reflects the speed at which the foot bears impact, related to risk of joint injury.

Special Thresholds:

  • In elderly patients with diabetes, the plantar pressure peak threshold is lower than in healthy individuals (20N vs 30–35N).

  • Balance ability of a 70-year-old is usually only 30% of that at age 20.

Application in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases in the Elderly

The plantar pressure distribution system plays an important role in the early detection and prevention of common chronic diseases in the elderly:

1. Diabetes Foot Prevention

  • Identify high-pressure areas through plantar pressure heat maps to predict ulcer risk sites.

  • Early detection of sensory decline and abnormal pressure distribution caused by neuropathy.

  • Customize decompression insoles for diabetic patients to reduce plantar peak pressure by 30–40%.

2. Arthritis Prevention and Intervention

  • Identify abnormal stress patterns to reduce joint load.

  • Monitor plantar pressure changes in patients with metatarsophalangeal arthritis to evaluate intervention effects.

  • Guide the selection of suitable footwear to reduce joint friction and wear.

3. Fall Risk Assessment

  • Assess vestibular function and posture control ability through balance tests.

  • Identify high-risk factors such as unstable center of gravity and reduced support base.

  • Formulate targeted training programs to improve balance ability.

Practical Application Cases and Effects

Case 1: Rehabilitation after Knee Replacement Surgery
An elderly person after knee replacement surgery was found through plantar pressure testing that the operated foot bore only 30% of the weight, with the center of gravity obviously shifted to the healthy side. Based on this, the doctor adjusted the training program to strengthen weight-bearing training of the operated limb. One month later, retesting showed that the bilateral pressure distribution tended to be symmetrical (from 30%/70% to 45%/55%).

Case 2: Community Elderly Foot Screening
A medical team provided plantar pressure testing services for more than 200 community elderly people and found about 30 cases with high risk of falls. Through customized orthotic insoles and balance training, follow-up after 6 months showed the fall incidence decreased by 42%.

Case 3: Nordic Walking Intervention
Studies show that when middle-aged and elderly people adopt Nordic walking, the maximum plantar pressure values in each region are lower than in normal walking, with significant differences (P<0.01) in the 2nd–5th metatarsals, medial and lateral heel regions, making it a safer and more efficient walking method.

Integrated Application Process in Health Examination Centers

In elderly health examinations, plantar pressure testing is usually integrated as follows:

Registration and Inquiry:

  • Collect basic information, medical history, and main symptoms of the elderly.

  • Assess daily activity ability and fall history.

Detection Area Setup:

  • Divide into registration area, waiting area, and testing area.

  • Equip professional personnel to guide and assist the elderly in completing tests.

Standardized Operation:

  • Conduct tests in the order of “static–dynamic–balance”.

  • The whole process takes about 3–5 minutes, safe and convenient.

Report and Intervention:

  • Generate test report on-site, interpreted by professional doctors.

  • Recommend further examination or intervention measures for abnormal results.

  • Establish health records and track regular follow-up.

Technical Advantages and Future Development Directions

The plantar pressure distribution system has the following unique advantages in elderly health examinations:

  • Objective quantitative evaluation: Transform traditional subjective observation into precise numerical analysis.

  • Early risk warning: Identify biomechanical abnormalities before symptoms appear.

  • Personalized intervention: Formulate targeted rehabilitation programs based on data.

  • Effect tracking: Quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of intervention measures.




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