Foot Posture Index Reference Values among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia and Their Association with Anthropometric Determinants, Balance, Functional Mobility, and Hypermobility

Abstract

Background. The foot posture index (FPI) is a valid, reliable, and multidimensional method for determining foot posture in a wide range of clinical settings. To date, no normative data of healthy young adults in Saudi Arabia have been available for comparison and reference. Hence, this study is aimed at establishing the FPI reference values, gender, and side differences of FPI and their association with anthropometric determinants, balance, functional mobility, and hypermobility. Methods. FPI was assessed in 581 (291 men and 290 women) healthy young adults aged 18–25 years. The FPI range was obtained for both feet as the sum of the scores (–2, –1, 0, 1, and 2) given to each criterion: (–1 to –12) supinated foot, (0 to +5) neutral foot, and (+6 to +12) pronated foot. The study furthermore assessed the balance using a near tandem balance test, functional mobility by stair ascent and descent test, and joint hypermobility via the Beighton scale. Results. The average FPI score was 2.76 ± 5.23 for all subjects, 2.98 ± 5.02 for men and 2.55 ± 5.43 for women. Neutral foot posture was most frequent in this study (52.9%). A higher proportion of women had pronated (21.0%) and supinated (11.7%) feet than men which were 16.8% and 10.3%, respectively. This study also confirmed that side differences were found to be significant ( p value < 0.001), whereas gender differences were significant only in the normal, pronated, and supinated foot groups. Conclusion. The most common foot posture in both genders was ranged from neutral to slight pronation. We also found a correlation between balance with FPI in the supinated and hypersupinated foot groups, functional mobility with FPI of pronated and supinated foot groups, and joint hypermobility with FPI of the hyperpronated foot group.

Present but Ignored: Physical Condition and Health-Related Quality of Life in College-Aged Females with Generalized Joint Hypermobility

“…The majority of GJH participants had altered their left and right feet. Other scientific sources state that there is a relationship between ligament laxity and foot pronation [ 15 , 57 ]. In contrast, there is a study suggesting that joint hypermobility does not affect the medial longitudinal arches of the feet in adults [ 49 ].…”

Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Technique versus Static Stretching in Patients with Pronated Dominant Foot: A Comparison in Effectiveness on Flexibility, Foot Posture, Foot Function Index, and Dynamic Balance

“…A previous study showed that the most common foot posture in both genders ranged from neutral to slight pronation in the Saudi Arabian population [ 9 ]. They also reported the existence of a significant correlation between balance and FPI in the supinated and hyper-supinated foot groups and between functional mobility and FPI of the pronated foot.…”

“…According to previous research, there are several methods for analyzing foot posture in standing position, including X-raying the foot, taking footprints, foot posture index (FPI), arch height index, and navicular drop test. The FPI requires no specialized equipment and has been found to be a reliable and user-friendly test for medical fraternity to evaluate normative scores across varied populations [ 9 ]. Balance is the maintenance of the body’s center of gravity within its support base.…”

A Review of Anthropometric Measurements for Saudi Adults and Elderly, Directions for Future Work and Recommendations to Establish Saudi Guidelines in Line with the Saudi 2030 Vision

“…Thus, some researchers provided anthropometric data in Saudis regarding hand anthropometrics of engineering students that may aid in designing various devices and machines [40]. Another study aimed to establish foot posture index reference values in healthy Saudi adults that may be used in a range of clinical settings [41]. Furthermore, plastic and reconstructive surgeries in Saudi women have increased [42].…”