TITLE:
Biomechanical Adaptations of Plantar Pressure and Postural Control after a Half-Marathon Run
AUTHORS:
André Costa Tenório de Britto, Ian Caetano Quadrado, Jake Carvalho Carmo, Vandilson Pinheiro Rodrigues, Mario Noberto Junior, Flavio Aragão Tenorio de Britto, Jefferson Fernando Coelho Junior, Tiago Cavalcante
KEYWORDS:
Running, Biomechanics, Plantar Arch, Plantar Pressure, Foot Strike, Postural Control
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Vol.13 No.4,
October
15,
2025
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to analyze the acute effects of a half-marathon run on plantar pressure, the medial longitudinal arch, and postural control in recreational female runners. Twelve adult women participated in the study and were assessed before and after a 21-km run. The analyses included the navicular drop test, static and dynamic baropodometry, and stabilometry in a bipedal stance. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics, paired Student’s t-test, effect size (Cohen’s d), and the Kappa index to assess agreement in foot type and foot strike classifications. The results revealed a significant reduction in right navicular height during bipedal support (P = 0.014; d = −1.05), as well as an increase in maximum static plantar pressure during bipedal stance (P = 0.024; d = 0.93) and in dynamic mean pressure on the left foot (P = 0.035; d = −0.85; negative value reflects the calculation order, but the direction of change was an increase). There was low agreement in foot type classification (Kappa = 0.077; 50%) and in foot strike classification for the left (Kappa = 0.143; 41.7%) and right foot (Kappa = 0.111; 33%). Stabilometric variables showed no statistically significant changes, suggesting that static postural control was maintained after prolonged exertion. It is concluded that the 21-km run induced acute changes in plantar structure and function, impacting the medial longitudinal arch and plantar pressure distribution, without impairing static postural control.