Differences in sole arch indices in various sports

Abstract

Background: There are controversial data about the relation between foot morphology and athletic injuries of the lower extremity. Studies in soldiers have shown some relationship, whereas those involving athletes have not shown any significant relationship. The reason for these differences is not clear. Objective: To determine the effect of various sports on sole arch indices (AIs). Method: A total of 116 elite male athletes (24 soccer players, 23 wrestlers, 19 weightlifters, 30 handball players, and 20 gymnasts) and 30 non-athletic men were included in this cross sectional study. Images of both soles were taken in a podoscope and transferred to a computer using a digital still camera. AIs were calculated from the stored images. Results: The AI of the right sole of the gymnasts was significantly lower than that of the soccer players, wrestlers, and non-athletic controls (p,0.01). The AI of the right sole of the wrestlers was significantly higher than that of the soccer players, handball players, weightlifters, gymnasts, and non-athletic controls (p,0.03). The AI of the left sole of the gymnasts was significantly lower than that of the wrestlers and nonathletic controls (p,0.001). The AI of the left sole of the wrestlers was significantly higher than that of the soccer players, handball players, and gymnasts (p,0.007). The AI of both soles in handball players was significantly lower than those of the non-athletic subjects (p = 0.049). The correlation between the AI of the left and right foot was poor in the soccer players, handball players, and wrestlers (r = 0.31, 0.69, and 0.56 respectively), but was high in the gymnasts, weightlifters, and non-athletic controls (r = 0.96, 0.88, and 0.80 respectively). Conclusion: The AIs of the gymnasts and wrestlers were significantly different from those of other sportsmen studied, and those of the gymnasts and handball players were significantly different from those of non-athletic controls.

Comparison of Hallux Valgus Angle Deformity in Korean Basketball and Non-basketball Players

“…Recently reported study demonstrated that arch indices were signiˆcantly diŠerent followed by each sport players, including soccer players, wrestlers, weightlifters, handball players, and gymnasts. Especially, wrestlers and gymnasts shown a reduction of foot arch through increasing of diagonal force on metatarsal head (Aydog et al, 2005). In addition, previous research reported that gymnasts shown an attenuation of foot arch following training period in from teenage to 20¿30 ages (Staheli et al, 1987).…”

The Association of Foot Arch Posture and Prior History of Shoulder or Elbow Surgery in Elite-Level Baseball Pitchers

“…The arch of the foot should provide for an elastic, springy connection between the regions of the foot. 6,8,9,22,43,50 This relationship allows for normalized weight bearing and the dissipation of ground reaction forces before they are transmitted to the leg and thigh. 6,8,9,22,43,50 It is also known that foot arch posture changes over time because of factors such as growth, aging, and disease-dependent degenerative processes during life.…”

“…6,8,9,22,43,50 This relationship allows for normalized weight bearing and the dissipation of ground reaction forces before they are transmitted to the leg and thigh. 6,8,9,22,43,50 It is also known that foot arch posture changes over time because of factors such as growth, aging, and disease-dependent degenerative processes during life. 8,9,43,50 Redmond et al 50 discovered that a Ushaped relationship existed for age, with minors and older adults exhibiting higher foot posture index scores than the general adult population.…”

“…6 Because the repetitive act of pitching requires constant unilateral overload of the upper and lower limbs from the wind-up phase through follow-through, there is an inherent chance of developing asymmetries of the upper and lower limbs as compared to the nonthrowing side. 6 Aydog et al 6 studied foot morphology across different sports and found that the arch index differed among sports that involved leg dominance (soccer and handball) compared to sports that did not involve leg dominance (wrestling) and nonathletic controls. It could be further argued that perhaps those pitchers with a shoulder or elbow injury may alter their pitching mechanics, which may lead to abnormal stresses that cause changes to foot posture.…”

“…Because the foot and its arches are adaptable and provide for both stability and flexibility, this implies that the posture of the foot is not necessarily fixed, but can change over time. 6,8,9,22,43,50 Performance athletes, such as baseball players, begin intensive training at an early age. Training at such an early age, when the musculoskeletal system is still in development, may result in adaptive changes to the body.…”