Analysis of students’ foot pressure distribution on the ground, as well as their body balance before and after exercise

• Main Authors: Jarosław Jaszczur-Nowicki, Joanna Bukowska, Dariusz Kruczkowski, Michał Spieszny, Magdalena Pieniążek, Grzegorz Mańko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IP Iermakov S.S. 2020-08-01
• Series: Physical Education of Students
• Subjects: foot; ground pressure; body balance; physical activity; students
• Online Access: https://sportedu.org.ua/index.php/PES/article/view/1161

Background and Study Aim: The article presents the results of analyses of students’ foot pressure distribution on the ground, as well as their body balance before and after exercise (Harvard Step Test). The aim of the paper was to carry out a comparative analysis of foot pressure distribution on the ground, as well as assess the degree of body balance before and after exercise. With that purpose in view, the following research hypothesis was formulated: in the students participating in the study, the distribution of foot pressure on the ground and the degree of body balance differ significantly after physical effort compared with the at-rest conditions. Material and Methods: The study encompassed n=48 students, including 37 women and 11 men. The tests were carried out using such tools as: an EPS/R1 podobarographic mat and the impedance methods – i.e. the InBody 270 body composition analyser. An analysis was performed for the parameters concerning body composition, the distribution of foot pressure on the ground, and the level of body balance. Results: The results obtained revealed statistically significant differences in the physiological parameters of foot arching and the functional efficiency of the body balance system under different measurement conditions that reflected the impact of effort stimuli. Conclusions: Significant differences reflecting the impact of the effort stimuli were expected to be achieved during the mathematical analysis of the results of podobarographic tests that allow for the assessment of the physiological parameters of foot arching and the functional efficiency of the body balance system under different measurement conditions. The authors’ assumption was mathematically and statistically confirmed by significant differences foe most of the parameters arising out of the possibilities offered by the research method applied. Comparative assessment unquestionably revealed a negative change in foot arching, as well as lower body posture stability in the female and male subjects, resulting from the physical exercise applied.