Publication details
Does carrying heavy loads impact ground reaction forces and plantar pressures in intervention police officers?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | PeerJ |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://peerj.com/articles/16912/ |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16912 |
| Keywords | Special populations; Gait kinetics; Heavy load; Change; Effect size |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Background. The main purpose of the study was to examine whether heavier loads might have an effect on ground reaction forces and plantar pressures. Methods. Ninety-six elite intervention police officers were recruited in this crosssectional study. Ground reaction forces and plantar pressures beneath the different foot regions were evaluated using Zebris FDM pressure platform, while a graduate increase in load carriage was as following: (i) 'no load', (ii) 'a 5 -kg load', (iii) 'a 25 -kg load' and (iv) 'a 45 -kg load'. Results. Carrying heavier loads increased ground reaction forces beneath forefoot and hindfoot regions of both feet, and midfoot region for the right foot. For plantar pressures, increases beneath the hindfoot region of both feet and midfoot region of the right foot were observed, while carrying heavier loads. Conclusion. This study shows significant increases in both ground reaction forces and plantar pressures, especially beneath the forefoot and hindfoot regions of both feet. Since the largest forces and pressures are produced beneath the hindfoot and forefoot, future research should pay special attention to these regions and their ground absorptions, additionally preventing from muscle and joint injuries. |