Static and dynamic foot characteristics in children aged 1-13 years: A cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to acquire static and dynamic foot geometry and loading in childhood, and to establish data for age groups of a population of 1-13 year old infants and children.A total of 10,382 children were recruited and 7788 children (48% males and 52% females) were finally included into the data analysis. For static foot geometry foot length and foot width were quantified in a standing position. Dynamic foot geometry and loading were assessed during walking on a walkway with self selected speed (Novel Emed X, 100 Hz, 4 sensors/cm2). Contact area (CA), peak pressure (PP), force time integral (FTI) and the arch index were calculated for the total, fore-, mid- and hindfoot.Results show that most static and dynamic foot characteristics change continuously during growth and maturation. Static foot length and width increased with age from 13.1 ± 0.8 cm (length) and 5.7 ± 0.4 cm (width) in the youngest to 24.4 ± 1.5 cm (length) and 8.9 ± 0.6 cm (width) in the oldest. A mean walking velocity of 0.94 ± 0.25 m/s was observed. Arch-index ranged from 0.32 ± 0.04 [a.u.] in the one-year old to 0.21 ± 0.13 [a.u.] in the 5-year olds and remains constant afterwards.This study provides data for static and dynamic foot characteristics in children based on a cohort of 7788 subjects. Static and dynamic foot measures change differently during growth and maturation. Dynamic foot measurements provide additional information about the children's foot compared to static measures.