Prevalence Of Altered Foot Posture In Athletic And Non-Athletic University Students - An Observational Study
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Abstract
Background: The study aims to explore foot characteristics among athletic and non-athletic individuals, with a particular focus on foot balance and stability during heel-to-toe walking. It also investigates the use of the foot index to assess overall foot function and alignment in these populations.
Materials & Methods: The study recruited participants from a university setting, with Group A consisting of athletic individuals and Group B comprising non-athletic individuals. Demographic data, including age, weight, and height, were collected for both groups. Heel-to-toe (foot) and heel-to-ball (arch) distances were measured for the right leg using standardized protocols. The foot index scoring system was employed to evaluate foot function and alignment for both right and left legs.
Results: Group A demonstrated significantly longer heel-to-toe (foot) and heel-to-ball (arch) distances in the right leg compared to Group B (p < 0.001). This suggests that athletic individuals exhibited superior foot balance and stability during the heel-to-toe walking test. However, there were no statistically significant differences in foot index scorings between the two groups for both right and left legs (p > 0.05), indicating comparable foot characteristics regardless of athletic background.
Conclusion: The study findings suggest that athletic training may positively impact specific aspects of foot function, such as balance and stability during heel-to-toe walking. However, the foot index may not be sensitive enough to detect overall foot function differences between athletic and non-athletic individuals. These insights have implications for designing targeted interventions to optimize foot-related outcomes in different populations. Further research with larger samples and considering a broader range of foot measurements is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of foot health and performance in athletic and non-athletic individuals.