[Dynamic measurement of pressure distribution with flexible measuring mats--an innovative measuring procedure in sports orthopedics and traumatology. Development--use--value].

The results of this study provide the basis for an on-target use of measurement of pressure distribution with flexible mats in sports orthopaedics and traumatology and adjacent overlapping fields. Dynamic measurement of pressure distribution using a flexible mat as a capacitor can yield valuable additional information not available so far in this form, on the static and dynamic stress acting on the human locomotor system. In the future this method can be used to prevent injuries and to optimise performance in many disciplines of sport and will make a significant contribution to optimised treatment concepts with pressure-adjusted shoes or insoles, as well as to the control of functional surgery results in traumatology. The fundamentals are presented via a detailed description of the development, standardization and testing of this innovative measuring method. The questions of applicability, practicability and information supplied are discussed on the basis of extensive studies on reproducibility, on the amount of time and technical effort required for each measurement, and on a critical comparison with other methods. For the two fields of application presented here it was possible to standardize the working procedure enabling a largely problem-free application in practice. The first useful results were obtained in sports orthopaedics (alpine ski boots and sportshoe design). By applying the measuring of pressure distribution in alpine ski sports the influence the construction of ski boots on the stress exercised on the human leg could be objectively quantified in man for the first time. Marked differences were found between models where the heel can be turned down on entering, to conventionally fastened ski boots. This, as well as the results on the influence temperature, height of shaft and shaft stability or rigidity on the pressure distribution along the tibia, provide the basis for a new guideline for the testing of ski boots. A new method was developed for the quality testing of shoes, insoles and sport shoes. This method enables for the first time dynamic pressure measurements inside the shoe and under the foot within the shoe. First results have been obtained with different insoles and arch supports or instep-raisers, or with different shoe constructions in general. These results are discussed in respect of their importance for an assessment of the stress exercised on the human body, for a timely detection of unfavourable stress distribution, and for optimizing the performance by means of selecting the appropriate material and suitable design and construction.