Postpartum women are at increased risk for lower limb musculoskeletal disorders. Foot arch collapse following pregnancy has been reported as a mechanism for this increased risk. However, dynamic changes during gait in postpartum women have not been reported. Therefore, we assessed the association between parity and dynamic foot pronation during gait.
To determine (1) if there is an association between parity and dynamic foot pronation (center of pressure excursion index, CPEI) during gait; and (2) the extent to which there is a dose-effect of parity on foot pronation.
The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) Study is a longitudinal cohort study of adults with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Two communities in the United States, Birmingham, Alabama and Iowa City, Iowa.
Not applicable PARTICIPANTS: A population-based sample of 1177 MOST participants who were female, had complete CPEI and parity data and completed the baseline, 30- and 60-month visits.
Odds of a one quintile decrease in CPEI by parity group and mean CPEI by parity group.
In 1177 women, mean age was 67.7 years and mean body mass index (BMI) was 30.6 kg/m
This study indicates a positive correlation between parity and greater dynamic pronation of the feet.