The Relation Between Clinical Measurements of Plantar Characteristics and Static and Dynamic Balance Indices

Abstract

Background: None of plantar arch characteristics such as arch height, heel varus and arch flexibility can affect balance indices in different manners. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the relation between these structural characteristics and balance indices. Patients and Methods: The study population was 100 male and female students from Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. To evaluate plantar arch, indices such as heel height, arch angle index, rear angle, navicular drop, longitudinal arch angle and footprint angle were recorded and Staheli and Denis methods were used. Static and dynamic data were recorded using the Biodex Balance System. Results: There was a significant correlation between arch height, and static and dynamic balance indices (maximum correlation coefficient = 0.46, moderate correlation coefficient); also, there was a direct significant correlation between rear and footprint angles and some other balance indices (correlation coefficient = 0.2, weak correlation). There was a significant inverse association between navicular drop and balance indices (maximum correlation coefficient = 0.3, moderate correlation coefficient). Evaluating arch and longitudinal arch angle indices by the Staheli and Denis correlation methods showed insignificant association between these variables and balance indices (P > 0.05). Conclusions: It seems that plantar changes have insignificant effect on static and dynamic indices evaluated by the Biodex Balance System.