Paedobarography Reference Data
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Creating a Foot Pressure Reference Database: Impact of Age, Sex and BMI
IRAS ID
358246
Contact name
Amy Scarfe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, months, days
Research summary
Pedobarography, the study and measurement of pressure distribution across the sole of the foot during standing and walking, is a valuable clinical and research tool for assessing foot function and biomechanics. Within the Gait Laboratory at Sheffield Children's Hospital, pedobarography data are a useful additional tool to further aid assessment of pathological gait. In order to accurately identify and evaluate pathological gait patterns, a reference database of foot pressure measures in typically developing children, young people (CYP) and adults is essential for comparison, allowing clinicians and researchers to compare individual cases against those expected during typical gait. It is well established that many factors may influence plantar pressure distribution including age, sex, body mass index (BMI), foot morphology and gait parameters (such as step length, speed and cadence). Owing to the forthcoming relocation of the Gait Lab and the purchase of new state-of-the-art equipment (Emed XL platform, Novel, Germany) a new reference database is required, providing the opportunity to further explore factors that impact plantar pressure distribution in typical gait. In addition to its clinical utility, the typically developing database will also serve as an important resource for future research, providing comparison group(s) for studies investigating foot function and gait deviations in CYP and adults with neurological, orthopaedic, or developmental conditions.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0191
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion