The Influence of Age and Gender on Normalized Foot Arch Height in Childhood and Adolescence: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Normalized arch height (NAH), which can be calculated as the instep height (IH) divided by total foot length (TFL), has been used when comparing the foot arch height, instead of navicular height (NH) because of the difficulty to palpate navicular tuberosity when measuring NH. The aim of current study was to investigate to investigate association between foot length and arch height, change in NAH over age, and distribution of foot type according to age in children and adolescent from 8 to 19 years. Foot scanning data of 1,451 children and adolescents were obtained. Four NAH indices were calculated as follows, 1) NH/TFL, 2) NH/instep length (IL), 3) IH/TFL and 4) IH/IL. There were significant positive relationships between foot length and arch height. Natural growth was observed in NH/TFL and NH/IL until 16 years old and IH/TFL and IH/IL between 11-13 and 14-16 years age groups. The proportions of pes planus also decreased, whereas the proportion of rectus foot type increased over age. Clinicians should be caution when diagnosing and designing non-surgical program for children with pes planus until 16 years old.

Effects of Elastic Band Exercise on Navicular Drop, Foot Posture Index and Muscle Strength on Young Adults with Flexible Flat Feet

“…(18) Kyeongbong Lee et al observed substantial increases in various parameters in an elastic band strengthening group, suggesting its potential use as an assistive device to the knee-ankle complex. (19) Research by Ziwei Qiao et al indicates that elastic band resistance training enhances upper and lower limb myodynamia and may improve joint range of motion and ligament flexibility. In the current study, similar findings were observed, with elastic band strengthening contributing to improved ligament flexibility and muscle strength, resulting in enhanced Navicular Drop (ND) FPI and muscle strength.…”