Developing a low-cost instrumented insole to track and differentiate load bearing activities in the workplace.

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Kintec Footlabs designs and manufactures a range of custom orthotics. Their objectives range from treating foot and lower limb pathologies to optimizing performance in elite athletes. A large portion of their clients present with plantar fasciitis (PF), a degenerative condition affecting the plantar fascia on the inferior surface of the foot. Despite the significant prevalence of PF the causes of the condition are poorly understood. However, it is particularly common in occupations with prolonged periods of weight-bearing. Therefore being able to objectively and accurately quantify load bearing activities in the work place would provide Kintec and others important diagnostic information for people suspected of having PF. Although there are several activity trackers currently on the market they have limited ability to differentiate passive activities (i.e. differentiating standing from sitting) The primary objective of this project is to develop and characterize a low cost insole that is capable of differentiating sitting, standing and walking activities over a standard 12 hour work shift based only on plantar pressure. To achieve the primary objective, a number of secondary objectives must be completed; 1) to determine the foot contact parameters that differentiate standing, sitting and walking, 2) to design a force sensor pattern that best captures and differentiates these activities, 3) to construct working prototype insoles, and 4) to assess the predictive ability of the insole to differentiate standing, sitting and walking in healthy individuals. To complete this work we will use a combination of lab experiments, prototype development and testing with healthy volunteers. The benefit to Canada of this work is two-fold, supporting the development of novel products at a Canadian company and improving performance, reducing injury and improving quality of life for people with PF, especially for workers required to stand for prolonged periods of time such as nurses, teachers, and factory workers.