Analysis of medial deviation of center of pressure after initial heel contact in forefoot varus

Abstract

After initial heel contact, the rearfoot everts and causes medial deviation of the center of pressure (CoP). Although rearfoot angle in single-limb stance has been associated with forefoot varus (FV) ≥ 8°, medial CoP deviation has not. Methods: After 12 participants with FV 0 kPa as when it had the most medial CoP, the medial deviations of the CoP of the array, the most medial CoP of the row, and its relative position in the row (CoP%), were compared between neutral and FV groups. Results: The medial deviations of the most medial CoP of the row (1.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.6 ± 0.3 mm, p = 0.049) and CoP% (2.9 ± 1.4 vs. 4.2 ± 1.1%, p = 0.023) were significantly different between neutral and FV groups, whereas that of the CoP of the array (1.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.4 ± 0.6 mm, p = 0.36) was not. Conclusion: The most medial CoP of the row and CoP% detected increased medial CoP deviation in FV ≥ 8°, and may be applied to other clinical conditions where rearfoot angle and CoP of the array after initial heel contact cannot detect significant differences.

Keywords

• biomechanical phenomena
• foot
• heel
• weight-bearing