The effects of surface compliance on foot pressure in stance

The purposes of this study are to quantify the changes in pressure distribution and contact area under subjectsʹ feet with respect to the compliance of the supporting surface and to investigate the effect of these changes on center of pressure displacement (COP) during static and dynamic stances. Peak pressure (PP), maximum contact area (maxA) and maximum center of pressure displacement (maxCOP) were quantitatively measured in ten young, healthy subjects standing on a firm surface and on several thicknesses of compliant foam. The results showed a significant reduction in PP and an increase in maxA while standing on foam. There was good correlation between PP and maxCOP only in static stance and on a hard surface.