A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FOOTPRINTS OF BASKETBALL PLAYERS versus NON PLAYING INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Aim: To compare footprints of basketball players with those of non-playing individuals.Background: The human foot and ankle are the last segments and their joint, the last within the complex kinetic chain of the lower limb as a whole. The foot is one of the most important interaction parts of the body with the ground, especially in the upright posture. During growth, the foot changes not only its dimensions but also its shape. The lower leg, ankle and foot are the most commonly affected region causing pain and disability in athlete, especially in track & field. A high impact sport like Basketball with the high involvement of foot in the game may cause the anatomy of the foot to change. This may also lead to change in the arch of the foot and predispose it to the injury.Methodology:50 basketball players and 50 non playing healthy individuals were selected as per inclusion criteria. Demographic data like age, gender, height, weight, BMI and any injury in last 6 months were recorded for all study participants. For obtaining foot prints, ink was applied to the feet of the subjects. The subjects were then asked to step on graph paper in standing position, leaving a clear impression of foot's plantar surface on the paper. The various distances in cms were taken using a transparent ruler. The flat index and arch index was also calculated.Result: Statistical analysis of the above graph showed significant difference in A, C, D,G between basketball and non-playing individuals. The other values (B, E, F,C/E) were not found to be statistically different. Conclusion:The distance A (from 1 st toe to heel),distance D(metatarsal distance),distance C(length of the longitudinal arch contour) and distance G(narrowest distance of the foot) are increased in basketball players as compared to non playing individuals. Also the Arch index is more in basketball players which indicated a relatively flatter feet in basketball players as compared to non players. This indicates a flatter feet in basketball players as compared to non playing individuals.

Comparison of Vertical Jump Height in Professional Basketball Player with Flatfoot and Players without Flatfoot

“…Foot arch is crucial factor for force transfer and shock absorption especially in impact sports such as jump and sprints 2 .…”