The effect of somatotype and lower limb shape on the morphometric characteristics of the foot in 17–19-year-old boys

Foot morphometric characteristics are influenced by the somatotype and frontal axis of the lower extremities, which affects the height of the longitudinal arch and the risk of developing flatfoot. These relationships are most pronounced in young men during the mature growth period and are important for the early diagnosis of orthopedic disorders. Aim of the study was to determine the relationships between somatotype, lower extremity shape, and foot morphometric parameters in young men aged 17–19. Materials and Methods. A total of 356 young men aged 17–19 were examined. Anthropometric parameters, somatotype (asthenic, normosthenic, hypersthenic), and lower extremity shape (straight, bow-shaped, or knee-shaped) were assessed. Foot morphometry was performed using plantography, determining Chizhin (the ratio of the width of the midfoot to the maximum width of the foot) and Friedland indexes (the ratio of the height of the longitudinal arch to the length of the foot). The deviation angle of the great toe was determined using the plantogram. Results . Normal longitudinal arch was more common in normosthenics with straight legs (56.10 %). Hypersthenics with Oand X-shaped limbs showed the highest combination of flat feet (32.50–40.91 %). Asthenics are characterized by high arches (Friedland index 31.5 ± 2.1 %), but functional instability is noted in the X-axis: flattening in 46.67 % and flatfoot in 24.44 %. In hypersthenics, the Chizhin index reached 2.1 ± 0.5, corresponding to a significant decrease in arch. The hallux valgus angle was greatest in hypersthenics (15.5 ± 3.1°). Correlation analysis revealed a relationship between somatotype and the Chizhin index ( r = 0.39) and the Friedland index ( r = –0.46), while foot shape was associated with arch flattening ( r = 0.31). Conclusions. The condition of the longitudinal arch of the foot in young men aged 17–19 depends on the combination of somatotype and the shape of the lower extremities. The most unfavorable morphometric characteristics were found in hypersthenics with Oand X-shaped leg axes. Asthenics exhibit a high arch, but its stability is reduced with valgus limbs. Normosthenics with a straight leg axis have optimal arching. Consideration of somatotypological and morphofunctional characteristics is essential in the preventive screening of young people.