{"title":"Changes in functional characteristics of heel fat pad with age","authors":"Toshihiro Maemichi , Masatomo Matsumoto , Takumi Okunuki , Tsukasa Kumai","doi":"10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2024.106294","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in the heel fat pad's microchamber and macrochamber layers, particularly focusing on load-induced alterations. Understanding these changes is crucial for elucidating age-related differences in foot mechanics and their potential implications for mobility and comfort.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Fifty-five healthy individuals were divided into three age groups: young adults (≤29 years), middle-aged adults (30–44 years), and elderly individuals (≥45 years). Ultrasonic imaging was utilized to measure the thickness of the heel fat pad's microchamber and macrochamber layers under varying load conditions. Thickness, percentage changes, and ratios of load-induced thickness changes were calculated to assess age-related differences.</p></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><p>Under no-load conditions, both microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel fat pad were significantly thicker in middle-aged and elderly individuals than in young adults. When load was applied middle-aged and elderly participants exhibited smaller changes in the macrochamber layer and larger changes in the microchamber layer compared to young adults.</p></div><div><h3>Interpretation</h3><p>Our findings suggest that age influences the structural characteristics and response of the heel fat pad to mechanical loading. Thicker heel fat pad layers in middle-aged and elderly individuals under no-load conditions may reflect age-related changes in fat distribution or composition. Moreover, differences in load-induced thickness changes indicate altered mechanical properties with age, potentially affecting shock absorption and overall foot function. Understanding these age-related variations can help develop interventions aimed at preserving foot health and mobility across the lifespan.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":50992,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Biomechanics","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003324001268/pdfft?md5=2777ca5d99bea0f316bcf75c61dab80f&pid=1-s2.0-S0268003324001268-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Biomechanics","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268003324001268","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background
This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in the heel fat pad's microchamber and macrochamber layers, particularly focusing on load-induced alterations. Understanding these changes is crucial for elucidating age-related differences in foot mechanics and their potential implications for mobility and comfort.
Methods
Fifty-five healthy individuals were divided into three age groups: young adults (≤29 years), middle-aged adults (30–44 years), and elderly individuals (≥45 years). Ultrasonic imaging was utilized to measure the thickness of the heel fat pad's microchamber and macrochamber layers under varying load conditions. Thickness, percentage changes, and ratios of load-induced thickness changes were calculated to assess age-related differences.
Findings
Under no-load conditions, both microchamber and macrochamber layers of the heel fat pad were significantly thicker in middle-aged and elderly individuals than in young adults. When load was applied middle-aged and elderly participants exhibited smaller changes in the macrochamber layer and larger changes in the microchamber layer compared to young adults.
Interpretation
Our findings suggest that age influences the structural characteristics and response of the heel fat pad to mechanical loading. Thicker heel fat pad layers in middle-aged and elderly individuals under no-load conditions may reflect age-related changes in fat distribution or composition. Moreover, differences in load-induced thickness changes indicate altered mechanical properties with age, potentially affecting shock absorption and overall foot function. Understanding these age-related variations can help develop interventions aimed at preserving foot health and mobility across the lifespan.
期刊介绍：
Clinical Biomechanics is an international multidisciplinary journal of biomechanics with a focus on medical and clinical applications of new knowledge in the field.
The science of biomechanics helps explain the causes of cell, tissue, organ and body system disorders, and supports clinicians in the diagnosis, prognosis and evaluation of treatment methods and technologies. Clinical Biomechanics aims to strengthen the links between laboratory and clinic by publishing cutting-edge biomechanics research which helps to explain the causes of injury and disease, and which provides evidence contributing to improved clinical management.
A rigorous peer review system is employed and every attempt is made to process and publish top-quality papers promptly.
Clinical Biomechanics explores all facets of body system, organ, tissue and cell biomechanics, with an emphasis on medical and clinical applications of the basic science aspects. The role of basic science is therefore recognized in a medical or clinical context. The readership of the journal closely reflects its multi-disciplinary contents, being a balance of scientists, engineers and clinicians.
The contents are in the form of research papers, brief reports, review papers and correspondence, whilst special interest issues and supplements are published from time to time.
Disciplines covered include biomechanics and mechanobiology at all scales, bioengineering and use of tissue engineering and biomaterials for clinical applications, biophysics, as well as biomechanical aspects of medical robotics, ergonomics, physical and occupational therapeutics and rehabilitation.
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