Foot arches and physical fitness of 5-year-old children

Abstract

Introduction Preschool age is a period of further changes in physical development, improvement of motor skills, and strengthening of the child's movement apparatus. At that time, especially between the ages of 4 and 7, morpho-functional changes in the feet are observed, leading to their longitudinal and transverse arches. The aim of the research was to try to assess the relationship between the curvature of the feet and the level of fitness and coordination abilities of children under the age of 5. Material and methods 414 children aged 5 participated in the study, including 178 girls and 236 boys. Podoscopic examination made it possible to assess the longitudinal arch of the feet using the Clarke's angle. The level of the child's motor development was characterized on the basis of the results of the tests of the Physical Fitness Test for Sekita's Preschoolers, and the Great Motility Test TGMD II was used to assess the coordination abilities. The results were statistically processed. Differences between the selected groups were estimated with the Student's t-test for independent groups. Results Based on our own research, it was found that preschoolers with flat feet are characterized by significantly lower body height and a higher BMI. On the other hand, such differences were not noted in body weight. On the other hand, the analysis of fitness abilities and motor predispositions proved the occurrence of small and insignificant differences between the described syndromes. Conclusion Therefore, it can be assumed that at this stage of ontogenesis, the level of the arched feet does not have a significant effect on the motor skills of the studied children.