The planter loading variations to uphill and downhill gradients during treadmill walking

The purpose of the study was to examine the planter loading changes during 5 gradient conditions on a treadmill (-15%, -8.5%, Level, 8.5%, 15%) for 20 participants using the Pedar(R) in-shoe pressure measurement system. The m easurement system uses EMED insoles, each consisting of 99 capacitive senso rs, sampled at 50 Hz. Data was collected from the last 20 seconds at each g radient condition while participants walked. As the treadmill gradient incr eased, loading (peak pressure [PP] and peak force [PF]) increased in the ha llux and Ist metatarsal regions and decreased in the heel region. With nega tive gradients, loading (PP and PF) increased in the heel region and decrea sed in the 4th and 5th metatarsal regions.