## 2 Methods
### Static Foot Parameters  
Measurements of all participants were conducted at the same time in the evening hours and at the same place. All respondents were familiar with the measurement protocol before the measurements. First, the anthropometric characteristics of the examinees were measured, including body height and weight. Ground reaction forces (absolute in N and relative in %) were measured. Each participant stepped on the Zebris medical platform for the measurement of pedobarographic plantar characteristics (type FDM 1.5). The Zebris platform uses 11.264 microsensors, arranged across the walking area, with a frequency of 300 Hz. It has been used as a diagnostic device for supporting several modes of operation, including static analysis while a participant is standing still [23]. The Zebris platform was connected via a USB cable to an external unit (laptop). The data were gathered in real time using WinFDM R1.0.0 software for extraction and calculation. Measurement values could be additionally exported in the form of text, pictures, and videos while simultaneously comparing the data from both feet. The capacity of the sensor technology was based on  
Figure 1: Flow chart diagram of participants’ enrolment, randomization and final analysis.  
the calibration of every single sensor automatically integrated into the platform. The task was to stand on the platform and maintain a calm position, with arms relaxed by the body and looking straight forward. After 15 s of measurement, the following parameters were generated: (i) 95% confidence ellipse area (mm\({}^{2}\)), (ii) CoP path length (mm), (iii) CoP average velocity (mm/s), (iv) length of minor axis (X) (mm), (v) length of major axis (Y) (mm), (vi) deviation X, (vii) deviation Y and (viii) the angle between Y and the major axis (\({}^{\circ}\)). Specifically, the left and right points under each foot represent the respective area of the CoPs surrounded by the 95% CI. Inside the 95% CI area, the projection of the CoP and its velocity with an appropriate path length during a quiet stance is displayed. The length of the minor axis denotes the medio-lateral direction, while the length of the major axis represents the antero-posterior direction, while the angle between the Y axis and the global y axis is described as the angle between the major axis (Y) and the global y axis, pointing along the longitudinal line of the platform. For ground reaction forces, the software generated the data for the relative forces distributed under the forefoot and backfoot regions of the foot, as well as for the total foot (%). The ideal load distribution is often considered to be 50-50% between the right and left standing surfaces, and the distribution load between the forefoot and heel is suggested to be 33% (1/3) on the forefoot, compared to 66% (2/3) on the heel. Of note, the vertical component of the ground reaction forces was collected and analyzed. Along with biomechanical static foot parameters, in addition, we measured height and weight with standardized equipment (Seca stadiometer and digital scale with a precision of 0.1 cm and 0.1 kg). Height was measured in an upright position while the head was positioned in a neutral position and the vertex was the highest point of the contact. The stadiometer was placed behind the back region from the feet to the vertex, and height was measured in centimeters. To assess weight, each participant stood in a light T-shirt and shorts on the digital scale, which showed each weight in kilograms. Accordingly, body mass index [(weight/kg)/(height/m)\({}^{2}\)] was calculated to examine nutritional status.