2013, Volume 5, Issue 4

Plantar pressure distribution in ice skates while gliding and standing compared to barefoot and trainer conditions

Andrew Greenhalgh¹, Faye Chatterly², Cheryl Blewitt², Jonathan Sinclair³, Nachiappan Chockalingam<sup>2

1</sup>School of Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire
²Faculty of Health, Staffordshire University
³Division of Sport, Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, University of Central Lancashire


Author for correspondence: Andrew Greenhalgh; School of Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire; email: a.k.greenhalgh[at]staffs.ac.uk

Full text

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to identify whether there are differences between plantar pressure distributions experienced whilst wearing ice skates during ice-gliding, compared to standing whilst barefoot, wearing trainers and wearing ice skates. The results of this study aim to provide a greater understanding of the distribution of the pressure through the ice skate to the human musculoskeletal system.
Material/Methods: Nine female participants were recruited for this study (age 36.6 years ± 15.3, mass 63.7kg ± 7.4 height 1.63m ± 4.1). Pressure applied to the plantar surface of the feet was recorded at 50Hz using an F-Scan sensor. Data was collected for 5 seconds while participants performed an ice glide in their own ice skates. Standing data was collected over the same period of time while participants stood still on a carpeted surface wearing their own ice skates, their own trainers and cotton socks without shoes. For each condition 10 trials of data were collected.
Results: The results reported similar peak pressure distributions under the plantar region of the foot for standing and ice gliding while wearing ice skates. Furthermore, the results identified a shift of peak pressure values to the forefoot and midfoot regions whilst wearing ice skates compared to trainers.
Conclusions: This research suggests information on plantar pressures during ice gliding may be obtained from standing data in future research and that ice skates may expose the wearer to an increased risk of plantar pressure related injuries in the forefoot/midfoot regions of the feet.

Key words: plantar pressure, footwear, ice skating