Force and pressure analysis during occasional loaded gait

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The aim of this study was to compare the ground reaction forces and plantar pressure parameters between unloaded and occasional loaded gait. The ground reaction forces and plantar pressure of 60 participants were recorded during unloaded and occasional loaded gait (wearing a backpack which raises the participant´s body mass index to 30). The results indicate an overall increase of forces and plantar pressure during occasional loaded gait where the absolute values were analyzed (p<0.05), while the normalized values suggested a non-linear relation between backpack mass and plantar pressure increases, where the medial midfoot and toes were more required while the lateral rearfoot was less during loaded gait (p<0.05). Also, during loaded gait the magnitude of impact and propulsive forces decreased and the shear forces increased more than proportion of the load. These data suggest a different pattern of plantar pressure distribution and forces during occasional loaded when compared to unloaded gait