Pressure Changes at the Fifth Metatarsal Regions during Running with Different Foot Strike Patterns

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze changes in plantar pressure distribution at the fifth metatarsal (M5) during running with different foot strike patterns.Methods: Thirty-five healthy adults ran barefoot over a foot scan pressure plate installed in a 10-m shuttle walkway.Each participant completed 10 trials per strike pattern and mean peak pressures at M1-M5 heads and M5 base of the dominant foot was analyzed.Results: The mean peak pressures at M2-M5 heads increased progressively from heel to midfoot to forefoot strike (p＜ 0.05).Significant differences among strike patterns were found at M2-M5 heads (p＜ 0.05).Post hoc analysis showed that forefoot strike produced significantly higher pressures at M2-M5 heads than heel and midfoot strikes (p＜ 0.001).At M5, peak pressure at the head increased from heel (14.54±7.82) to midfoot (15.54±7.75) to forefoot strike (19.37±7.37),whereas peak pressure at the base decreased from heel (6.27±1.69)and midfoot strikes (5.85±1.94) to forefoot strike (4.35±1.79).At M5, both the head and base demonstrated significant differences according to strike pattern.Conclusion: Plantar pressure patterns vary across foot strike types, with forefoot strike producing greater M5 head loading but lower base loading.These findings suggest that forefoot-based low-intensity running may be considered as an early loading option during rehabilitation after Jones fractures, although further clinical studies are needed to confirm its clinical benefits.