Foot Arch Height and Quality of Life in Adults: A Strobe Observational Study

Flatfoot is linked to secondary lower limb joint problems, such as patellofemoral pain. This study aimed to investigate the influence of medial posting insoles on the joint mechanics of the lower extremity in adults with flatfoot. Gait analysis was performed on fifteen young adults with flatfoot under two conditions: walking with shoes and foot orthoses (WSFO), and walking with shoes (WS) in random order. The data collected by a vicon system were used to drive the musculoskeletal model to estimate the hip, patellofemoral, ankle, medial and lateral tibiofemoral joint contact forces. The joint contact forces in WSFO and WS conditions were compared. Compared to the WS group, the second peak patellofemoral contact force (p < 0.05) and the peak ankle contact force (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the WSFO group by 10.2% and 6.8%, respectively. The foot orthosis significantly reduced the peak ankle eversion angle (p < 0.05) and ankle eversion moment (p < 0.05); however, the peak knee adduction moment increased (p < 0.05). The reduction in the patellofemoral joint force and ankle contact force could potentially inhibit flatfoot-induced lower limb joint problems, despite a greater knee adduction moment.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This could change the direction of the patellofemoral force and reduce the contact area of the patellofemoral joint, thereby applying extra stress to the joint during weightbearing [10,12]. Previous clinical studies also showed that flatfoot posture is associated with a greater risk of knee and lower extremity pain [3,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immediate Effects of Medially Posted Insoles on Lower Limb Joint Contact Forces in Adult Acquired Flatfoot: A Pilot Study

Peng

Wong

Yan

et al. 2020

“…The difference in arch type is a contributory factor in sports injuries, which could affect and influence physical performance [3,8]. Furthermore, poor exercise behaviors might also lead to progressive deformation in arch morphology, resulting in foot problems and affecting the quality of life [1,[9][10][11]. López-López et al [11] indicated that patients with foot problems present a negative impact on the quality of life related to podiatry and foot health, especially in women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Arch Stiffness with Plantar Impulse Distribution during Walking, Running, and Gait Termination

Cen

Baker

et al. 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine relationships between arch stiffness and relative regional impulse during walking, running, and stopping. A total of 61 asymptomatic male subjects volunteered to participate in the study. All were classified by calculating the arch stiffness index using 3-dimensional foot morphological scanning. Plantar pressure distribution data were collected from participants using a Footscan pressure platform during gait tests that included walking, running, and gait termination. The stiff arches group (n = 19) and flexible arches group (n = 17) were included in the following data analysis. The results suggested that subjects with stiffer arches had a larger and smaller percentage of plantar impulse in the forefoot and rearfoot, respectively, than subjects with more flexible arches during walking and running. However, during gait termination, which included planned and unplanned gait stopping, the plantar impulse distribution pattern was found to be reversed. The current findings demonstrate that the distributional changes of plantar loading follow unidirectional transfer between the forefoot and the rearfoot on the plantar longitudinal axis. Moreover, the patterns of impulse distribution are also different based on different gait task mechanisms.

“…Although a previous study deemed that judging whether lower arches are a sign of physiological adaptations or pathological changes is difficult [33], the results of our study showed that a lower arch height is more likely a physiological adaptation than a pathological change. It was also reported that specific foot and general health-related quality of life did not seem to be influenced by the foot arch height [34]. Different foot types existed, and they affected obvious motor performance in adults, but may not in children [35].…”

Section: Relationships Between Foot Morphology and Foot Muscle Strengthmentioning

confidence: 97%

Relationships between Foot Morphology and Foot Muscle Strength in Healthy Adults

Xiao

Zhang

Deng

et al. 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate if measurements of foot morphology in sitting and standing positions can predict foot muscle strength. Twenty-six healthy male adults were recruited, and their foot morphology and foot muscle strength were measured. Foot morphological variables, toe flexor strength, and metatarsophalangeal joint flexor strength were measured by using a digital caliper, Ailitech-AFG500 dynameter and metatarsophalangeal joint flexor strength tester, respectively. Partial correlation and multivariate stepwise regression were used to explore the relationships between foot morphology and toe/metatarsophalangeal joint strength. Results adjusted by age and body mass index were as follows: (1) truncated foot length in sitting and standing positions and foot width in standing position were positively correlated with the flexor strength of the first toe; (2) foot length, foot width, and truncated foot length in both positions were positively related to the flexor strength of the other toes; (3) arch height index in sitting position and differences in navicular height were negatively associated with the flexor strength of the other toes; (4) differences in foot width were negatively associated with metatarsophalangeal joint flexor strength; and (5) the multivariate stepwise regression model showed that truncated foot length in sitting position, navicular height in standing position, differences in navicular height, foot width in sitting position, and differences in foot width were significantly correlated with toe/metatarsophalangeal joint flexor strength. Simple measurements of foot morphological characteristics can effectively predict foot muscle strength. Preliminary findings provided practical implications for the improvement of the foot ability by making specific foot muscle training sessions in professional sports and by compensating the predicted muscle strength defects to prevent foot injury.