The Effects of Dance Training on Childrenʼs Foot Arch

Abstract

2355 Since many dancing movements enhance the tone of foot flexors and strengthen the foot arch. Dancing has been used as a rehabilitation exercise to treat flat foot. However the soft tissues is overstretched the stability of the arch could be reduced. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate if dance training in childhood changes normal foot arch development. METHODS: The grade 3 dance children were the dancing trained group 3 (DT3, 8.8 ± 0.3 yrs, n = 15), the grade 6 dance children were the dancing trained group 6 (DT6, 11.9 ± 0.3 yrs, n = 15); the normal children at grade 3 were the untrained group 3 (NT3, 9.0 ± 0.3 yrs, n = 15), and the normal grade 6 children were the untrained group 6 (NT6, 11.9 ± 0.3 yrs, n = 15). Bilateral non-weight bearing navicular drop index(NDI) in sitting position and even-weight bearing NDI in standing position were measured for all subjects. RESULTS: In the weight-bearing test, DT6 and UT6 had significant lower NDI (P<0.05) in compared with the DT3 and UT3 groups. This data show that there is a natural maturation in NDI that has nothing to do with dancing. In the weight bearing tests, UT6 had significant lower NDI (P<0.05) than UT3, but no significant different between DT3 and DT6. Thus, the development of foot arch is gradual and matured with age in the non-dancen groups, but not in the dancing groups. CONCLUSIONS: Dancing during childhood might not influence the natural development of foot arch. But over-stretch movements may decrease the elasticity of the soft tissue in feet, thus results in lowered foot arch and structure dysfunction.