Static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution in amateur marathon runners

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the static and dynamic plantar pressure profiles of amateur marathon runners with sedentary cohorts. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Are there differences in the plantar pressures of these two populations? Is there a correlation between body mass and BMI with plantar loading? METHODS: The study involved 43 runners involved in marathon training and 30 age-matched untrained individuals. Plantar pressure was measured using a baropodometric system. RESULTS: The marathon runners showed greater forefoot plantar pressure of the dominant extremity in the static condition and reduced medial plantar pressure of both extremities in the dynamic condition. A correlation was observed between body mass and BMI with mean plantar pressure only in the marathon group and only for the dominant extremity in the dynamic condition. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon training may modify the forefoot plantar loading characteristics of the dominant extremity during static conditions and increase lateral plantar pressure of both extremities in a dynamic (gait) condition.