Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis

PurposePlantar soft tissue properties affect foot biomechanics during movement. This study aims to explore the relationship between plantar pressure features and soft tissue stiffness through interpretable neural network model. The findings could inform orthotic insole design.MethodsA sample of 30 h...

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Main Authors: Xiaotian Bai, Xiao Hou, Dazhi Lv, Jialin Wei, Yiling Song, Zhengyan Tang, Hongfeng Huo, Jingmin Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1482382/full
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author Xiaotian Bai
Xiao Hou
Dazhi Lv
Dazhi Lv
Jialin Wei
Jialin Wei
Yiling Song
Zhengyan Tang
Hongfeng Huo
Hongfeng Huo
Jingmin Liu
author_facet Xiaotian Bai
Xiao Hou
Dazhi Lv
Dazhi Lv
Jialin Wei
Jialin Wei
Yiling Song
Zhengyan Tang
Hongfeng Huo
Hongfeng Huo
Jingmin Liu
author_sort Xiaotian Bai
collection DOAJ
description PurposePlantar soft tissue properties affect foot biomechanics during movement. This study aims to explore the relationship between plantar pressure features and soft tissue stiffness through interpretable neural network model. The findings could inform orthotic insole design.MethodsA sample of 30 healthy young male subjects with normal feet were recruited (age 23.56 ± 3.28 years, height 1.76 ± 0.04 m, weight 72.21 ± 5.69 kg). Plantar pressure data were collected during 5 trials at the subjects’ preferred walking speed (1.15 ± 0.04 m/s). Foot soft tissue stiffness was recorded using a MyotonPRO biological soft tissue stiffness meter before each walking trial. A backpropagation neural network, optimized by integrating particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm, was constructed to predict foot soft tissue stiffness using plantar pressure data collected during walking. Mean impact value analysis was conducted in parallel to investigate the relative importance of different plantar pressure features.ResultsThe predicted values for the training set are slightly higher than the actual values (MBE = 0.77N/m, RMSE = 11.89 N/m), with a maximum relative error of 7.82% and an average relative error of 1.98%, and the predicted values for the test set are slightly lower than the actual values (MBE = −4.43N/m, RMSE = 14.73 N/m), with a maximum relative error of 7.35% and an average relative error of 2.55%. Regions with highest contribution rates to foot soft tissue stiffness prediction were the third metatarsal (13.58%), fourth metatarsal (14.71%), midfoot (12.43%) and medial heel (12.58%) regions, which accounted for 53.3% of total contribution.ConclusionThe pressure features in the medial heel, midfoot area, and lateral mid-metatarsal regions during walking can better reflect plantar soft tissue stiffness. Future studies should ensure measurement stability of this region and refine insole designs to mitigate plantar soft tissue fatigue in the specified areas.
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spelling doaj-art-55ae00bce8bb403dbd9e408b9b8a53842025-08-20T02:53:49ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology2296-41852025-01-011210.3389/fbioe.2024.14823821482382Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysisXiaotian Bai0Xiao Hou1Dazhi Lv2Dazhi Lv3Jialin Wei4Jialin Wei5Yiling Song6Zhengyan Tang7Hongfeng Huo8Hongfeng Huo9Jingmin Liu10Department of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaKey Laboratory of Bioinformatics Evaluation of Human Movement, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaKey Laboratory of Bioinformatics Evaluation of Human Movement, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Physical Education, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaKey Laboratory of Bioinformatics Evaluation of Human Movement, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, ChinaDepartment of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaPurposePlantar soft tissue properties affect foot biomechanics during movement. This study aims to explore the relationship between plantar pressure features and soft tissue stiffness through interpretable neural network model. The findings could inform orthotic insole design.MethodsA sample of 30 healthy young male subjects with normal feet were recruited (age 23.56 ± 3.28 years, height 1.76 ± 0.04 m, weight 72.21 ± 5.69 kg). Plantar pressure data were collected during 5 trials at the subjects’ preferred walking speed (1.15 ± 0.04 m/s). Foot soft tissue stiffness was recorded using a MyotonPRO biological soft tissue stiffness meter before each walking trial. A backpropagation neural network, optimized by integrating particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm, was constructed to predict foot soft tissue stiffness using plantar pressure data collected during walking. Mean impact value analysis was conducted in parallel to investigate the relative importance of different plantar pressure features.ResultsThe predicted values for the training set are slightly higher than the actual values (MBE = 0.77N/m, RMSE = 11.89 N/m), with a maximum relative error of 7.82% and an average relative error of 1.98%, and the predicted values for the test set are slightly lower than the actual values (MBE = −4.43N/m, RMSE = 14.73 N/m), with a maximum relative error of 7.35% and an average relative error of 2.55%. Regions with highest contribution rates to foot soft tissue stiffness prediction were the third metatarsal (13.58%), fourth metatarsal (14.71%), midfoot (12.43%) and medial heel (12.58%) regions, which accounted for 53.3% of total contribution.ConclusionThe pressure features in the medial heel, midfoot area, and lateral mid-metatarsal regions during walking can better reflect plantar soft tissue stiffness. Future studies should ensure measurement stability of this region and refine insole designs to mitigate plantar soft tissue fatigue in the specified areas.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1482382/fullneural networkplantar soft tissuegaitplantar pressurebiomechanics
spellingShingle Xiaotian Bai
Xiao Hou
Dazhi Lv
Dazhi Lv
Jialin Wei
Jialin Wei
Yiling Song
Zhengyan Tang
Hongfeng Huo
Hongfeng Huo
Jingmin Liu
Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
neural network
plantar soft tissue
gait
plantar pressure
biomechanics
title Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
title_full Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
title_fullStr Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
title_full_unstemmed Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
title_short Development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
title_sort development of an interpretable model for foot soft tissue stiffness based on gait plantar pressure analysis
topic neural network
plantar soft tissue
gait
plantar pressure
biomechanics
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1482382/full
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