Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Gait & Posture journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/gaitpost Short communication Plantar pressure distribution during running in early childhood Tainá N. Vieira, Paula R. Mesquita, Silvia G.R. Neri, Ana C. de David ⁎ University of Brasilia, Department of Physical Education, Brasilia, Brazil ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Plantar pressure Running Children ABSTRACT Introduction: Plantar loads represent a reliable estimation of the mechanical efficiency of movement. The aim of this study was to describe and compare plantar pressure measures during running in children 4–6 years of age. Methods: Twenty-eight children were divided into three groups (4, 5 6 year-olds). Plantar pressure during running at self-selected speed was recorded using an Emed-AT platform (Novel). Contact area, peak pressure, relative maximum force, and relative contact time were analyzed under five different plantar regions. Foot length and dynamic plantar arch index were calculated. The MANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc were used to compare groups. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: BMI and arch index did not differ between the age groups. When compared to the younger groups, 6- year-old children produced higher loads of peak pressure (p < 0.01) and maximum force (p < 0.01), larger contact area (p < 0.01) and longer contact time (p < 0.05) under most foot regions, except for maximum force under the midfoot (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Foot structure and plantar loads during running seem to be still developing in 6-year-olds. These children present different values of peak pressure, maximum force, contact time, and contact area than 4 and 5- year-olds, with higher values in the forefoot and lower values in the midfoot. 1. Introduction Plantar loads represent a reliable estimation of the mechanical ef- ficiency of movement. Important studies on plantar loads were con- ducted in children in different age groups in the quiet standing position and walking [1]. The longitudinal arch seems develop continuously until 6 years of age. Phethean et al. [2], suggest that between the ages of 4 and 7 years old there may have a period of potential differences between bearing of the plantar loads. Running is an important motor ability for children and an understanding of plantar pressure loads during running in early childhood may be important to assess typical motor development, and for the construction of orthoses, prostheses and shoes. 2. Research question Is there difference in plantar pressure measures during running among children from 4, 5 and 6 years of age? 3. Methods 28 children were divided into three groups: 4-year-old, 5-year-old and 6-year-old (Table 1). Each child running barefoot over the platform (Emed-AT, Novel) at a self-selected speed until five valid steps for each foot. Speed was recorded using a chronometer. All participants were rearstrikers. Contact area, peak pressure, relative maximum force, and relative contact time were analyzed in five different plantar regions: hindfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and hallux. Foot length and dynamic plantar arch index were calculated. The MANOVA and Bonferroni post- hoc was used, with age as a factor. The level of significance was p < 0.05. 4. Results There were no significant differences in variables between the right and left feet. Therefore, only data for the left foot were described. The plantar arch index did not differ between the age groups. The differ- ences observed occurred mainly between 6-year-old and the other groups, with a tendency for contact area, peak pressure, maximal force, and contact time to increase for this group, with the exception of the midfoot (Table 2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.07.005 ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: acdavid@unb.br (A.C. de David). Gait & Posture 65 (2018) 149–150 0966-6362/ © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. T