Assessment of Foot Deviations and Associated Foot Injuries and its Effect on Foot Functional Activity among Amateur Adolescent Female Kathak Dancers in Selected Dance Schools in Bengaluru

Abstract

Background & purpose: Kathak is a north Indian classical dance form that requires fast rhythmically sophisticatedfootwork and fast turns, which puts the dancers at risk of foot injuries. Any foot deviations or reduced foot functionare associated with an increased risk of a foot injury. This study aims to assess foot deviations and related footinjuries and their effect on functional activity and create awareness among kathak dancers about foot position andits risk factor for injury. Methods: This study included 100 recruited subjects based on the inclusion and exclusioncriteria. Demographic data and other variables were collected and recorded, and measures like foot posture andfunction indexes were used.Results: The foot posture index mean and SD of the left feet for the subjects recruited in the present study were1.83 and 1.43 and of the right feet were 1.89 and 1.54 respectively. The overall foot functional index score mean andSD, for the subjects recruited in the present study were 9.76 and 10.39.Conclusion: The present study concluded by stating that the foot posture index was normal and didn’t haverestrictions on foot usage while performing the kathak dance form. Whereas with the foot function index, it wasobserved that the pain experienced by subjects was severe which restricted their activity pattern and hinderedtheir dance performance.