CHILDREN’S PLANTAR PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION MEASUREMENTS: INFLUENCE OF FOOTWEAR

INTRODUCTION: Several significant studies (Aharonson et al., 1989; Orlin et al., 1990; Hennig & Rosenbaum, 1991; Pisciotta et al., 1994) have increased interest in plantar pressure distribution parameters in childhood. All over the world the gait labs, with their ongoing research studies on gait kinetics, are beginning to look for pressure distribution values, as for example Bontrager et al. (1997). More than a hundred years ago, Marey in 1886 and Beeley in 1882 developed plantar pressure measurement techniques. These techniques have continued to be developed, and at present there are measurement systems based on such different principles as footprints, optical, acoustical, pneumatic, hydraulic, inductive, piezoelectric, capacitive and resistive. (Borges Machado, 1994