Biomechanical asymmetries between children’s left and right feet can affect stability and coordination, especially during dynamic movements. This study aimed to examine plantar pressure distribution, foot balance, and center of pressure (COP) trajectories in children during walking, running, and turning activities to understand how different movements influence these asymmetries. Fifteen children participated in the study, using a FootScan plantar pressure plate to capture detailed pressure and balance data. The parameters, including time-varying forces, COP, and Foot Balance Index (FBI), were analyzed through a one-dimensional Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM1d) package. Results showed that asymmetries in COP and FBI became more pronounced, particularly during the tasks of running and directional turns. Regional plantar pressure analysis also revealed a more significant load on specific foot areas during these dynamic movements, indicating an increased reliance on one foot for stability and control. These findings suggest that early identification of asymmetrical loading patterns may be vital in promoting a balanced gait and preventing potential foot health issues in children. This study contributes to understanding pediatric foot biomechanics and provides insights for developing targeted interventions to support healthy physical development in children.

Background: Understanding the internal load characteristics of the knee joint is essential for investigating unilateral knee injuries associated with running. This study examined the differences in the location and magnitude of von Mises stress in the internal structures of bilateral knee joints during the stance phase of gait following 10 km running at submaximal speeds. Methods: A healthy male recreational runner participated in this study. We employed a synergistic approach, integrating subject-specific knee joint angles, reaction forces, and moments derived from musculoskeletal modeling to inform and drive the finite element (FE) modeling of running. This methodology ensured a detailed and accurate representation of knee joint mechanics. The peak stresses of the bilateral knee menisci, tibial cartilage, and five main ligaments were quantified using a FE model during the stance phase. Results: The meniscus, tibial cartilage, anterior (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and experienced larger loads in the non-dominant limb across most phases of stance. Additionally, fatigue elevated the peak loading on the non-dominant limb’s ACL, PCL, and LCL during the gait stance phase but diminished the load on these ligaments in the dominant knee joint. For Patellar ligament (PL), the non-dominant side showed maximal stress at initial contact, while the dominant side dominated during the remaining stance phases. Conclusions: This proof-of-concept substantially enhances our understanding of the impact of running-induced fatigue on bilateral knee loading. It provides a detailed analysis of factors leading to unilateral knee overload during extended running. These insights are essential in formulating targeted strategies to reduce injury risks.