Investigation of the Foot Arch Postures of Sport Sciences Students According to Some Variables

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the foot arch structures of undergraduate students of sports sciences faculty according to some demographic characteristics. Method: A total of 159 volunteer participants, 34 females and 125 males aged 18-34 years, were included in the study. General information form and podoscope imaging device for foot images were used as data collection tools. Foot images were analysed according to Staheli's Arc Index. The plantar arch index status of the participants was analysed according to gender, department, sporting status, sporting age and post-training pain variables. Cross-tabulation and Fisher's exact chi-square test were used to determine the distributions between the plantar arch index categories according to the variables. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparisons between groups according to arch categories and Mann-Whitney-U tests were used to determine the source of the difference. Results: According to the plantar index scores, 53.5% of the participants had normal, 25.8% flexible, 6.3% rigid flat, and 15.5% high arches. While there was no difference in the variables of gender, height, body weight and BMI in terms of foot arch index scores (p>0.05), significant differences were detected in sports status, pain status and pain scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, the incidence of flexible arches was higher in active athletes, while high arches were more common in recreational athletes. In terms of post-training pain scores, it was determined that participants with flexible arch soles felt higher pain than participants with normal and rigid flat soles.