TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - Effects of wearing different personal equipment on force distribution at the plantar surface of the foot
JO  - ScientificWorldJournal
A1  - Schulze, Christoph
A1  - Lindner, Tobias
A1  - Woitge, Sandra
A1  - Finze, Susanne
A1  - Mittelmeier, Wolfram
A1  - Bader, Rainer
SP  - 827671
EP  - 827671
VL  - 2013
IS  - 
N2  - Background. The wearing of personal equipment can cause specific changes in muscle activity and posture. In the present study, we investigated the influence of differences in equipment related weight loading and load distribution on plantar pressure. In addition, we studied functional effects of wearing different equipment with a particular focus on relevant changes in foot shape. Methods. Static and dynamic pedobarography were performed on 31 male soldiers carrying increasing weights consisting of different items of equipment. Results. The pressure acting on the plantar surface of the foot increased with higher loading, both under static and dynamic conditions (p < 0.05). We observed an increase in the contact area (p < 0.05) and an influence of load distribution through different ways to carry the rifle. Conclusions. The wearing of heavier weights leads to an increase in plantar pressure and contact area. This may be caused by flattening of the transverse and longitudinal arches. The effects are more evident in subjects with flat feet deformities which seem to flatten at an earlier load condition with a greater amount compared to subjects with normal arches. Improving load distribution should be a main goal in the development of military equipment in order to prevent injuries or functional disorders of the lower extremity.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2356-6140
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/827671
ID  - ref1
ER  -