Correlations between foot defects and balance reactions among young school-children

Introduction: The shape of the lower limb axis and the foot arch are an integral element of body posture. Therefore, foot defects are wrongly perceived as a local problem. Aim of the research: To analyse the correlations between foot defects and balance reactions in school-children. Material and methods: The study included a group of 132 girls aged 9-10 years. There were 103 (73%) children with foot defects, and 29 (27%) without these defects (normal). The foot deformities were examined with the 2D Foot CAD podoscanner, while balance reactions were assessed with the Zebris FDM-S dynamographic platform. Results: Among girls with foot defects, significant correlations occurred regarding: angle btw. Y and major axis, deg. and width R (p = 0.022) and width L (left foot) (p = 0.039); heel angle R and path length (p = 0.019) and average velocity (p = 0.020); Wejsflog index R and path length (p = 0.021), and average velocity (p = 0.023), and deviation X (p = 0.038), and deviation Y (p = 0.038). Wejsflog index L was significantly correlated with: path length (p = 0.003), average velocity (p = 0.003), length of major axis (p = 0.006), deviation X (p = 0.035), deviation Y (p = 0.035), forefoot R (p = 0.012), backfoot R (p = 0.001), backfoot L (p = 0.001). Conclusions: There were significant correlations between foot defects and balance reactions. Significant differences between the group with foot defects and normal in equivalent reactions occurred for angle between Y and major axis. Girls with foot defects had significantly higher values of this variable.