How do leg press exercises comply with limited weight bearing?

•Leg presses can be performed to modified weight bearing conditions.•Leg press settings allow an adjustment from 5% to 67% of full weight bearing.•Pedobarography seems a suitable method to monitor foot loads during leg presses at 40 kg but is less valid at lower loads.

ObjectivesTo investigate foot loadings in different leg press settings with respect to a possible graduation of weight bearing (WB).DesignCase series.SettingsAssessing plantar force values by means of dynamic pedobarography taken place in orthopaedic departments' rehab center.Participants15 healthy students (9 men and 6 women, age 23 ± 2, weight 75 ± 6 kg) were recruited as participants from the medical faculty.Main Outcome MeasuresPeak force values from normal gait (referred to as 100%) and single and double leg presses (SLP, DLP) with resistances of 10 kg, 20 kg and 40 kg, obtained with pedobarographic insoles.ResultsPerforming DLP produced foot loadings (N) of 37 ± 15 with 10 kg, 91 ± 29 with 20 kg and 203 ± 27 with 40 kg, equal to 5%, 12% and 26% of full WB. SLP result in force values of 195 ± 32 with 10 kg, 308 ± 34 with 20 kg and 516 ± 45 with 40 kg, corresponding to 25%, 40% and 67% baseline.ConclusionsLeg press exercises can be performed in accordance with a given limitation of foot loading. Above mentioned conditions allow a graduation from 5% to 67% of full WB.