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Ozgun M.1, Inal H.S.2, Ulucay C.3
1Yeditepe University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey, 3Yeditepe University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Background: Many static measures have been developed to describe foot posture. The clinical and research advantages of having an easily performed static measurement with acceptable presumption about foot function are potentially assisting in improved accuracy of clinical screening and orthotic prescription, and standardisation of functional foot type for research.
Purpose: The purpose of this study are:
(i) to compare the foot function and foot posture through single-limb heel-rise test, foot function index, arch height ratio, toe test of Jack and foot posture index and to investigate which tests are reliable and potentially most applicable in clinical and research settings;
(ii) to determine the differences between these tests amongst males and females.
(i) to compare the foot function and foot posture through single-limb heel-rise test, foot function index, arch height ratio, toe test of Jack and foot posture index and to investigate which tests are reliable and potentially most applicable in clinical and research settings;
(ii) to determine the differences between these tests amongst males and females.
Methods: 21 male and 37 female students whose mean ages were 20,33±1,49 and 20,65±1,87 respectively, were included to the study from Yeditepe University. Demographic variables were collected to understand the relationship between males and females. Foot posture assessed through foot posture index, arch height ratio and toe test of Jack while foot function obtained through the single-limb heel-rise test and foot function index. SPSS (ver. 22.0) was performed for statistical analysis. Paired-sample t test was employed to compare measurements in right and left foot. Independent t test was performed to understand relationships between these tests among males and females. Prediction of significant relationship amongst the pair of variables was determined by the Pearsons Correlation Coefficient r where it was applicable. Correlations were also explored using scatter plots.
Results: The limb symmetry index (LSI) was calculated to determine the size of the difference in function between the right and left side and for determining whether the difference was classified as normal or abnormal. There was no limb asymmetry (LSI 90%) amongst the participants (t=,524; p=,603). The 58 participants 116 feet were analysed separately to establish a mean arch height ratio (AHR) for this reference population of convenience. AHR scores ranged from 0,264 to 0,441 (mean: 0,350; med.: 0,350; SD: 0,035) and were normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk; p>0,05). Only single-limb heel-rise test was found different between genders (t=3,123; p=0,03). Single-limb heel-rise test was correlated with foot posture index in both sexes (p=0,00). 21 males (42 feet) mean single-limb heel-raise repetition score was 36,79±11,23 and it was 30,68±7,80 for 37 females (74 feet). Positive correlation was found between arch height ratio and single-leg heel-raise test in both genders (p=0,000 and p=0,006 for right and left female feet and p=0,03 and p=0,31 for right and left male feet respectively).
Conclusion(s): The arch height ratio and foot posture index are effective to assess foot posture clinically as well as the single-limb heel-rise test is an effective measure for foot function.
Implications: We may suggest that the single-limb heel-rise test may be used as an effective measurement for assessing the foot function and foot posture in clinical settings as an easily applicable test.
Funding acknowledgements: This research received no funding.
Topic: Orthopaedics
Ethics approval: This research was conducted with the permission of the Rectorship of Yeditepe University.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
