Using Deep Learning Methods to Predict Walking Intensity from Plantar Pressure Images

People with diabetes are recommended to perform exercise such as brisk walking to maintain their health. However, a fast walking speed can increase plantar pressure, especially at the forefoot and rearfoot areas, thereby increasing the risk of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). The deep learning model can identify plantar pressure patterns for an early detection of DFU when performing various intensities of exercise. Therefore, this study aimed to identify differences in walking speeds to the plantar pressure response using deep learning methods, including Resnet50, InceptionV3, and MobileNets. The deep learning models were used to classify the plantar pressure images of healthy people walking on a treadmill. The design consisted of three walking speeds (1.8 mph, 3.6 mph, and 5.4 mph). Through 5-fold cross-validation, accuracy, and robustness, the Resnet50 model had a better performance compared to the other two models in the image classification with a mean F1 score of 0.8646 and a standard deviation of 0.0466. The results indicated that the Resnet50 model can be used to analyze plantar pressure images for assessing risks of DFU.