By tracking the path of the center of pressure (COP) during the stance phas
e, the balance and pattern of progression can be determined. The path of CO
P is frequently used in clinical practice, although it is not quantified. I
n this study, an F-scan pressure sensitive insole system was used to quanti
fy the path of COP. The COP of initial contact and the average during the s
tance phase corresponded to the center of the heel and to the center of the
total plantar surface. respectively. The COP displacement corresponded to
83% of foot contact length and 18% of forefoot contact width. When the long
itudinal axis of the insole was plotted as the Y-axis and the transverse ax
is of the insole as X-axis, the slopes of the COP coordinates during stance
phase was 6 degrees inward. Velocities of the COP during each functional r
ocker action were even and 22-27 cm/s. The changes of quantified COP parame
ters according to the biomechanical alteration of the foot were confirmed b
y high-heeled gait. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.