Pattern of Alteration in Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally in Hand
Harithasan D, Omar B, Paungmali A. Pattern of Alteration in Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally in Hand. The
Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice.
Pattern of Alteration in Foot Mechanics W hen Carr ying Loads Unilaterally in Hand
Deepashini Harithasan 0 1
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 0 1
0 1
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 0 1
0 1
Physiotherapy Commons 0 1
0 Chiang Mai University
1 This Manuscript is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Health Care Sciences at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice by an authorized editor of NSUWorks. For more information , please contact
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Pattern of Alteration in Foot Mechanics When Carrying Loads Unilaterally in Hand
PURPOSE: Carrying weight in one hand is a common functional activity. This study investigated the effects
of incremental loads carried in one hand unilaterally and its influence on the foot mechanics [plantar pressure,
maximum force and contact area]. METHOD: Twenty healthy individuals were tested, in standing and
walking, while carrying different weights (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg and 10 kg) using their right hand. ANCOVA
was conducted separately for the right and left leg to address the effect of incremental loads on the foot
mechanics within each leg with navicular drop index and Q angle as covariates. Paired t-test was conducted
to address the effect of different loads on the foot mechanics between the legs. RESULTS: Results showed a
significant increase in plantar pressure (pCONCLUSION: The fundamental changes in foot mechanics under
the influence of different loads may be used to interpret the changes seen in the foot mechanics among different
pathological condition.
Author Bio(s)
Deepashini Harithasan is a PhD student at Faculty of Heath Science, Department of Biomedical Science,
University Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Baharudin Omar is a Professor from Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Science, University
Kebangsaan Malaysia. He is also the Dean of Faculty of Health Science.
Aatit Paungmali is a Professor from Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences,
Chiang Mai University.
Acknowledgements
None declared
This manuscript is available in Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/ijahsp/vol15/iss2/7
Dedicated to allied health professional practice and education
Vol. 15 No. 2 ISSN 1540-580X
Deepashini Harithasan, PT, DPT Baharudin Omar, PT, DPT, EdD Aatit Paungmali, PT, PhD, CAPS
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Chiang Mai University
Malaysia
Abstract
PURPOSE: Carrying weight in one hand is a common functional activity. This study investigated the effects of incremental loads
carried in one hand unilaterally and its influence on the foot mechanics [plantar pressure, maximum force and contact area].
METHOD: Twenty healthy individuals were tested in standing and walking while carrying different weights (no load, 5 kg, 7.5 kg
and 10 kg) using their right hand. An ANCOVA was conducted separately for the right and left leg to address the effect of
incremental loads on the foot mechanics within each leg with navicular drop index and Q angle as covariates. A paired t-test was
conducted to address the effect of different loads on the foot mechanics between the legs. RESULTS: Results showed a significant
increase in plantar pressure (p<.05), maximum force (p<.05), and contact area (p<.05) in the right leg while standing. While walking,
the results demonstrated a significant increase in plantar pressure (p<.05) and maximum force (p<.05) in the right leg. In addition,
carrying loads of 7.5 kg and 10 kg during standing and 7.5 kg during walking caused an increase in plantar pressure and maximum
force on the right leg. CONCLUSION: The fundamental changes in foot mechanics under the influence of different loads may be
used to interpret the changes seen in the foot mechanics among different pathological condition.
INTRODUCTION
The human foot plays a fundamental role by providing sensory information in regards to the foot contact with the ground during
static and dynamic activity.1,2 The anatomical and physiological characteristics of the foot can cause an alteration in foot mechanics
such as plantar pressure (PP), maximum force (MF) and contact area (CA) during static and dynamic activities.3 Knowledge of foot
mechanics is important in the assessment of various foot pathologies which can be further addressed in clinical practice.4,5 Studies
suggested that standing and walking with load increases the load carried by the musculoskeletal system, which further leads to
alteration in the foot mechanics.6,7
Many studies reported changes in the ground reaction forces when carrying loads.7-10 A past study reported a 10% increase of
ground reaction force when carrying 32 kg o (...truncated)