Foot plantar pressure evaluations of athletes in different sports branches

This study's objective was to assess athletes' dynamic plantar pressure assessments while they were standing and walking in various branches. Our study included 9 American football players (22.5±5.2) years; 176.7±6.0 cm; BMI=26.1±6.1kg/m2, years of expe-rience=5.2±3.4 years), 15 badminton players ((19.00±3.0 years; 169.4±0.9 cm; BMI= 22.0±1.6kg/m2), 25 soccer players (20.66±1.3 years; 178.4±4.64 cm; BMI=23.5±1.8kg/m2), 15 folk dance groups (20.6±1.7 years; 164.9±5.8 cm; BMI=20.6±1.7) A total of 89 participants, including 25 sedentary individuals (21.0±2.3 years; 177.5±4.8 cm; BMI=23.3±2.1kg/m2), were included voluntarily. The participants were measured with EMED-XL (Novel gmbh, Germany) plantar pressure measuring equipment. Measurements were taken during static posture and active walking. In dy-namic evaluations, groups were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-normally distributed variables and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for regularly distribu-ted variables. Statistics were deemed significant at p<0.05. The evaluation of static pres-sure in the right and left feet was done using an independent sample t-test. The results of the study on dynamic gait demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the groups' FTI (Force Time Integral), MF (Maximum Force), CA (Contact Area) and CT (Contact Time) values in the right-left total foot, forefoot, midfoot, and heel regions; American football had the highest value, followed by soccer, badminton, and folk dan-ces groups. Due to the distinct dynamics of each branch, the research findings show how the foot posture has evolved to fit the technical motions of the sport. Using a pre-ventative treatment strategy and athlete-specific insoles and sports shoe designs, it is advised that plantar pressure distributions be attained during static posture and dynamic gait that are particular to the branch and even within the branch. This will increase sports performance. Keywords: Foot posture ındex, Range of motion, Flexibility, Strength, Plantar pressure, Sport