Variability of Postural Stability and Plantar Pressure Parameters in Healthy Subjects Evaluated by a Novel Pressure Plate

Abstract

Background: Postural stability and plantar pressure parameters can be assessed by baropodometry; nevertheless, they are often affected by low repeatability. The aim of the study was to test the accuracy and repeatability of a novel resistive sensor pressure plate and to establish the most reliable baropodometric parameters. Methods: Accuracy and repeatability of the FM12050 BTS-Bioengineering plate measurements were assessed by using different weights in static conditions across three sessions. Subsequently, 20 healthy subjects were assessed by 30-s stabilometric analysis in bipedal standing with open eyes across four trials in two sessions, morning and afternoon. Results: Pressure plate repeatability in measuring the static weights was very high, and plate measurements were correlated to the scale measurements (Pearson’s coefficient = 0.99). Percentage of load distribution between left and right foot and in rearfoot and forefoot regions showed the largest repeatability (coefficient of variation < 5%) across trials. Eventually, median and percentiles (25–75%) were reported for each parameter. Conclusions: This study helped to assess the accuracy and repeatability of a novel pressure plate in static conditions and to define the most reliable parameters for the assessment of postural stability and foot morphology. The present healthy-subject stabilometric dataset may be used as reference data in the evaluation of pathological populations.