The effect of hyper-pronated foot on postural control and ankle muscle activity during running and cutting movement

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hyper pronated foot on postural control and ankle muscle activity during running and cutting movement (v-cut).
 Methods: In this Cross-Sectional study, 42 young physically active (exercising three times per week regularly) males participated in this study, including 21 with hyper-pronated feet and 21 with normal feet. Each participant completed a running and cutting task. Body postural control was measured using a force platform (1000Hz) which was synchronized with surface electromyography of selected ankle muscles. MATLAB software was used to process and analyze the data. One-away ANOVA was used to identify any differences between groups.
 Results: Differing muscle activation patterns in the surrounding ankle musculature (tibialis anterior, peroneus longus) through to reduced postural stability in the medial-lateral direction and increased vertical ground reaction forces were observed between groups.
 Conclusion: According to the obtained results it seems that subtalar hyper-pronation can be regarded as a factor affecting the biomechanics of cutting by changing activation patterns of the muscles surrounding the ankle, and reducing postural control of the body in medial-lateral direction, but not in anterior-posterior direction.

Sand Exercises Altered Muscular Frequency Content in Individuals With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and Pronated Feet During Walking

“…Pronation of the foot involves the reduction of the medial longitudinal arch along with the navicular bone on the medial surface of the foot, which can cause anatomical abnormalities [7]. This devaluation in the height of the internal longitudinal arch depends on the condition of the plantar bones and ligaments, leg and foot muscles, and plays an important role in maintaining balance and performing movement abilities and skills [7]. Foot pronation is a combination of heel eversion, foot abduction, and ankle dorsiflexion, which occurs in the subtalar and midtarsal joints and affects the longitudinal-internal arch of the foot [8,9].…”

“…Foot pronation can cause biomechanical irregularities in a person's performance, which also leads to Achilles tendon pain, leg pain, hamstring strain, and quadriceps muscle strain [11]; therefore, the pronated foot leads to impaired posture control, impaired absorption of pressures on the soles of the feet, the occurrence of lower limb injuries, and changes in the mobility of the ankle and foot joints, which, secondarily, probably causes changes in the electrical activity of the muscles [12][13][14][15]. Therefore, in addition to the changes in the standing position, the abnormalities of this part also affect the movement [7]. Overpronation of the foot is considered a major contributing factor in lower limb injuries [16].…”