Examination of the Correlation Between Foot Biomechanics, Plantar Pressure and Balance in Adolescent Volleyball Players

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between foot biomechanics and pedobarographic evaluation with balance in adolescent male volleyball players.Method: Total of 36 male athletes of adolescent age (average 16.16±1.52 years) who played volleyball in the youth team of the Halkbank Sports Club were included in the study. Demographic information and physical characteristics (age, height, weight and sports age) of the athletes were recorded. The foot biomechanical evaluation of the athletes was recorded with the navicular drop test, metatarsal width, subtalar joint angle and hallux valgus angle. Balance values were recorded using the Biodex Balance Stability System (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA). Anterior / Posterior Balance Index, Total Balance Index and Medial / Lateral Balance Index values were recorded. In the evaluation of plantar pressure errors and surface contact errors during walking were recorded using freemed® (Sensor Medica Inc., Rome, Italy) pedobarographic device. The data were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 package program. The relationship between independent variables with each other was analyzed by Spearman Correlation Analysis. The statistical significance level was accepted as p <0.05.Results: As a result of our study, it was found that there was no relationship between foot biomechanical values and balance (p>0.05). When the relationship between the athletes' plantar pressure distribution values and their balance measures was investigated, it was discovered that some pressure distribution values and balance values were related. (p<0.05).Conclusions: According to the results obtained from the study, it was seen that the plantar pressure was related with balance. We think that it is important to perform foot plantar pressure distribution analysis in terms of both improving the balance performance of athletes and preventing foot injuries. We believe that the training programs to be organized with the applications for the changes in the plantar pressure distribution can be more effective for the athletes.