Abstract: Objective To compare the characteristics of plantar pressure between old and young people walking on flat. Methods 30 persons aged 55-65 years and 30 students aged 18-23 years were measured with a kind of plantar pressure measurement Footscan when they walked naturally, including impulse, max force, load rate of 10 regions, and distribution of the contact area of medial and lateral heels. Results The impulse was significantly different in 7 regions between both sides in the old people, and in 3 regions in the students. The impulse was significantly less in the old people than in the students (P<0.05). The max force was significantly different in 6 regions between both sides in the old people, and in 3 regions in the students. The max force was significantly less in the old people than in the students (P<0.05). The load rate was significantly different in 7 regions between both sides in old people, and in 3 regions in students. The load rate was significantly less in the old people than in the students (P<0.05). The contact area was larger in the medial heel than the lateral heel in old people group (P<0.05), and it was different between left and right foot. While the contact area was smaller in the medial heel than the lateral heel in the students (P<0.05), and there was no difference between left and right foot (P>0.05). Conclusion The impulse, max force, load rate decrease in the old people with the imbalance of distribution of the pressure between left and right.

Key words: plantar pressure, impulse, max force, load rate, old adults