Prevalence of flatfoot and gender differences in plantar pressure among third-year high school students in Tongzhou district Beijing.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of flatfoot and to analyze the gender difference of plantar pressure in third-year high school students in Tongzhou District Beijing.

METHODS

From March 2019 to March 2021, 1217 third-year high school students in Tongzhou District, Beijing were tested for plantar pressure. The prevalence of flatfoot was calculated and related plantar pressure parameters were analyzed, including contact area and plantar pressure. The differences of plantar pressure parameters between different genders were analyzed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of flatfoot among third-year high school students in Tongzhou District, Beijing was 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3-6.7%), among which, the prevalence of flatfoot among boys was 5.3% (95% CI: 3.8-6.8%) and that among girls was 5.9% (95% CI: 3.9-7.9%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of flatfoot among different genders (P = 0.326), and the left and right foot types were basically the same. The mean BMI of the study population was 22.6 ± 3.4 kg/m², with males having a slightly higher mean BMI (23.1 ± 3.6 kg/m²) compared to females (21.9 ± 3.0 kg/m²). In static phase, there were statistically significant differences in contact area, plantar pressure at great toe, plantar pressure at 2nd - 5th toe, plantar pressure at 2nd - 4th metatarsal, and plantar pressure at middle foot(P < 0.05) between male students and female students. In dynamic phase, there were significant differences in contact area, plantar pressure at great toe, plantar pressure at 2nd - 5th toe and plantar pressure at 5th metatarsal (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that while flatfoot prevalence is similar between genders in third-year high school students, significant gender-specific differences exist in plantar pressure distribution patterns. These differences persist in both static and dynamic phases, with potential implications for gender-specific foot health assessment and preventive interventions. Understanding these patterns may help in early detection of foot abnormalities and implementation of appropriate interventions to prevent long-term biomechanical issues in this age group.