Baropodometric evaluation of foot load distribution during gait in the group of professionally active nurses

Exposure of Undergraduate Nursing Students to Standing Environments: A Longitudinal Study on Plantar Force and Pressure Distribution

BACKGROUND

Understanding the link between plantar force, pressure, and foot discomfort is important for nursing students' well-being, given the prevalence of foot and ankle musculoskeletal disorders among nurses. Assessing these factors can inform tailored self-care interventions, supporting holistic nursing education.

PURPOSE

To assess the plantar force and pressure distribution of third-year nursing students at baseline and after 5 months of exposure to a clinical setting.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study in a Portuguese nursing school measured changes in podiatric profile at 5 months, including peak pressure, maximum force, and contact area.

RESULTS

Elevated mean peak pressure in the heel correlated positively with maximum force and contact area. Negative correlations were found between the contact area and edema. Peak pressure correlated positively with thigh pain, indicating pressure transfer to metatarsal heads.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the importance of integrating ergonomic education into nursing curricula and raising awareness of self-care interventions.

Comparison of kinematic parameters of children gait obtained by inverse and direct models

The purpose of this study is to compare differences between kinematic parameters of pediatric gait obtained by direct kinematics (DK) (Plug-in-Gait) and inverse kinematics (IK) (AnyBody) models. Seventeen healthy children participated in this study. Both lower extremities were examined using a Vicon 8-camera motion capture system and a force plate. Angles of the hip, knee, and ankle joints were obtained based on DK and IK models, and ranges of motion (ROMs) were identified from them. The standard error of measurement, root-mean-squared error, correlation r, and magnitude-phase (MP) metrics were calculated to compare differences between the models’ outcomes. The determined standard error of measurement between ROMs from the DK and IK models ranged from 0.34° to 0.58°. A significant difference was found in the ROMs with the exception of the left hip’s internal/external rotation. The mean RMSE of all joints’ amplitudes exceeded the clinical significance limit and was 13.6 ± 4.0°. The best curve angles matching nature were found in the sagittal plane, where r was 0.79 to 0.83 and MP metrics were 0.05 to 0.30. The kinematic parameters of pediatric gait obtained by IK and DK differ significantly. Preferably, all of the results obtained by DK must be validated/verified by IK, in order to achieve a more accurate functional assessment of the individual. Furthermore, the use of IK expands the capabilities of gait analysis and allows for kinetic characterisation.

Pathophysiological Behaviour of the Climber's Foot versus the General Population: A Prospective Observational Study

Sport climbing is becoming increasingly popular, with people of all types and ages practising it. The feet suffer a lot of pressure with the sport climbing gesture, which in the long run can produce alterations in the first metatarsophalangeal joint or in the first radius of the foot. Objective: To observe and quantify the behaviour of the foot in climbing subjects compared to a group of non-climbing subjects, comparing the pressures, first metatarsophalangeal joint and first radius of the foot. Method: This is a non-experimental and observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and prospective research. The study sample consisted of 105 subjects (42 males and 63 females). The control group consisted of 52 subjects and the climbing group consisted of 53 subjects. Different exploratory tests were carried out on all the subjects, such as: mobility of the metatarsophalangeal joint and first radius of the foot and the study of plantar pressures in different areas of the study. Results: No significant difference was found between left and right foot measurements (p > 0.05). The pressures of the same foot are significant, both at static and dynamic stages for both groups. The maximum pressure in the climbing group was under the first metatarsal head, while in the control group it was under the second metatarsal head. There were significant differences in the mobility of the first metatarsal joint and the first radius between the two groups. Conclusion: It can be seen that the group of climbers has less plantar pressure than the control group. They also have altered mobility of the first radius and the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Effectiveness of Custom Foot Insoles to Decrease Plantar Pressure: A Cross-over Randomized Trial Study

Background: Harderness insoles decrease plantar pressure and reduce the foot injury incidence in sport. The purpose of our study was to analyze the plantar pressure variation in moto riders after riding in a real speed circuit with a custom foot 52⁰ Shore EVA insole. Methods: A crossover randomized trial study was performed (consent no. #050520165316). Riders were assessed by an expert motorsport senior podiatry. The participants’ mean age was 35 ± 3.29. Participants completed a 20 min training riding with their own motorcycle in a real speed circuit. Plantar pressures were registered with a baropodometric platform evaluating an Ethyl Vinyl Acetate custom foot insole (CFI) manufactured with 3 mm thickness and 52° Shore A hardness. The Plantar pressures were registered before riding, after riding without EVA insole, and after riding with EVA insole. Results: Total Plantar pressures in right and left foot, and total surface area decrease after riding with EVA insoles. Conclusion: The use of an EVA insole with 52⁰ shore A hardness riding on a motorcycle in speed circuit decreased the total plantar pressures and surface areas values.

Evaluation of the occurrence of work-related musculoskeletal pain among anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgical nurses: An observational and descriptive study

Clinical nurses can encounter musculoskeletal pain episodes stemming from regular exposure to workplace risk factors that contribute to overloads. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and location of work-related musculoskeletal pain among Polish nurses. An observational and descriptive survey study was conducted among 136 nurses working in the anesthesiology, intensive care, and surgery units. An extended version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to investigate musculoskeletal pain. Only 8% of the participating nurses experienced no musculoskeletal pain, while 85% suffered from pain in more than one location. The lower back (67%), upper back (59%), and neck (66%) were the most common pain locations. In summary, nurses experienced multiple musculoskeletal pain episodes, occurring most frequently in the spinal region (lower and upper back and neck). It is crucial to determine the real causes of musculoskeletal pain and to take appropriate preventive measures to improve workplace ergonomics.

Analysis of Selected Body Composition Parameters and Ergonomic Safety among Professionally Active Nurses in Poland: A Preliminary Prospective Monocentric and Observational Study

Nurses consist of an occupational group that is particularly exposed to harmful work-related factors such as prolonged working hours, severe stress, fatigue, and excessive strain on the musculoskeletal system. According to nurses, the limitation of the application of ergonomic principles of work may contribute to the occurrence of numerous dangerous behaviors, improper eating habits, or deficiency of systematic physical activity. The most common consequences are nutritional disorders and musculoskeletal system dysfunctions. This prospective observational study was aimed at evaluating selected parameters of the body composition of professionally active nurses and at determining work-related risks during nursing activities. The study group consisted of 37 active nurses (38.38 ± 11.33 years). The research tool was a device for bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). A questionnaire designed by the authors was also implemented, which covered ergonomic principles, musculoskeletal injuries, and nutritional habits. In the present study, it was shown that all average values of the tested nurses' body composition parameters were within the normal range. The majority of respondents (97.3%) reached a high level of body water. A statistically significant correlation was found between the knowledge of the workplace ergonomic principles and body mass index. In conclusion, musculoskeletal pain and lack of implementation of ergonomic behaviors are a significant problem among nurses, which may be the cause of overweight or obesity in this occupational group.

Baropodometric evaluation of foot load distribution during gait in the group of professionally active nurses

OBJECTIVES

Nurses are extremely exposed to musculoskeletal overloads. Prolonged standing postural balance distributions, functional deficits and pain may affect the symmetry of the load on the feet. The study aimed to assess the distribution of foot load during gait among nurses.

METHODS

The sample of this prospective and observational study consisted of 37 female nurses with mean age of 39 years. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate musculoskeletal disturbances and baropodometric gait analysis (BGA) was performed to register distribution of foot load during gait.

RESULTS

We showed that 68% of nurses declare that they know the principles of workplace ergonomics, but only 14% comply with them. NMQ results indicate that as many as 73% of the respondents feel ailments in the "lower back" area. An asymmetry was observed in the load of IV-V of the metatarsal head between the left and right foot (P = .000) and in the load of the left and right lateral part of the heel (P = .028) in the BGA test. Correlations between ailments occurring in the neck area and loading of the lateral arch of the right foot (P = .032) were found. Moreover, the load in this area correlated positively with the occurrence of "lower back" pain (P = .045).

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses have asymmetric distribution of foot load during gait, which results in a discrepancy between the loads on the three main support points of the foot and which may affect nurses' work productivity.