Based on research found at: https://www.bfro.net/REF/THEORIES/WHF/FahrenbachArticle.htm
Understanding Plantar Pressure: A Look at Human Feet and the Sasquatch Legend
When we think about foot pressure, we often imagine the weight our feet carry every day. For humans, this seems simple—our body weight is distributed across the surface of our feet.
What is Plantar Pressure?
Plantar pressure is the force exerted by our feet on the ground as we walk, stand, or run. It’s influenced by our weight and the size of our feet. Simply put, a smaller foot carrying more weight will exert higher pressure, while a larger foot with the same weight will spread that pressure more evenly. In everyday life, this is important because excessive pressure can damage tissues, collapse capillaries, and even lead to painful conditions like pressure ulcers.
In 1992, Krantz discussed the limits of compressive strength in cartilage, noting that exceeding these limits poses a risk to joint health and tissue integrity. This means that no matter how big or small a creature is, its feet and body are likely optimized to handle its weight in a way that prevents damage.
Comparing Humans and Sasquatch
You might wonder how plantar pressure compares between humans and a creature like the Sasquatch. Footprints attributed to Bigfoot have been studied. Using casts of these footprints, researchers estimated the pressure exerted by the Sasquatch’s feet. The results showed that the pressure ranged between 6 and 12 lb./in², depending on the size of the footprint.
For comparison, the average human foot exerts about 10 lb./in² of pressure on the ground, and this value decreases to around 2.5 lb./in² when wearing boots, thanks to the footwear distributing the weight more evenly. Interestingly, despite the Sasquatch being considerably larger, its foot pressure isn't vastly higher than that of humans. This is due in part to the size of its feet and a thick sole pad, which helps to spread out the weight.
The Role of the Foot’s Sole
One of the key adaptations that may allow Sasquatch to manage its weight is its sole pad. Much like the human foot, which has a layer of connective tissue filled with fat, the Sasquatch’s foot likely has a thick, spongy pad. This helps to distribute the weight evenly across the foot and also absorbs some of the impact with each step. This is why, despite anecdotal reports suggesting that Sasquatch might carry tremendous weight, the actual plantar pressure isn’t extreme when compared to human feet.
Final Thoughts
In the end, whether human or Sasquatch, the principles of plantar pressure apply. Feet are designed to carry weight efficiently, with larger creatures having evolved features like thicker sole pads to better distribute pressure. While we may never truly know the reality of Sasquatch, examining the biomechanics of its supposed footprints gives us fascinating insights into how feet—both real and mythical—work to support the bodies they carry.
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