Effect of Arch Index of Foot on Dynamic Balance in Healthy Young Adults

Foot is the most distal segment in lower extremity chain and represents a relatively small base of supportupon which body maintains balance. There are three types of foot postures which are seen 1) Pes planus2) Pes cavus 3) Neutral. So, it is likely that these deficits in foot posture may impair the foot function andpredispose to loss of balance.Aim:- The aim of the study was to find the effect of Arch Index of foot on dynamic balance.Method:-It was a cross sectional study on 175 healthy young individuals in the age group of 18-25yrs.Individuals were assessed for Inclusion and Exclusion criteria. Arch index was calculated for both thefeet using foot prints with the help of software Auto Cad 2014. Dynamic balance was assessed using StarExcursion Balance Test (SEBT) for both the feet. Normalised SEBT distances were calculated by dividingreach distances in all eight directions by limb length.Results:-. Arch index was found to be negatively correlated with normalised SEBT distances in Posterolateral(r= -0.341,p= 0.01) and lateral(r= -0.369,p= 0.01) directions and positively correlated in Anterior(r=0.296,p= 0.01),and medial (r= 0.296,p= 0.01)directions in pronated foot group. There was no correlationfound between Arch index and normalised SEBT distances in any direction for normal arched foot andsupinated foot group.Conclusion:- Increased Arch Index (i.e. >0.26) implies pronated foot posture which affects dynamic balancein Postero lateral and lateral directions of Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT).