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Ground reaction forces in high-arch and flat feet

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to measure the ground reaction forces in different movements (walking, running, changes of direction and landing), in a sample of sedentary subjects with high-arch feet or flat feet. Fifteen young women volunteered for the study (age: 19.40 ± 1.29 years; weight: 57.17 ± 8.98 Kg); 8 with flat feet (P) and 7 with high-arch feet (C). All of them carried out the following tests on a force platform: walking (speed = 1.6 m/s), running (speed = 3 m/s), drop landing (height = 0.75 m), and changes of direction. Vertical, horizontal and mediolateral ground reaction forces were collected using a piezoelectric force platform. There were significant differences (p<0.01) between flat and high-arch feet in the contact time during the change of direction test, with greater contact times in subjects with flat feet (C = 0.30 ± 0.04 s y P = 0.37 ± 0.04 s), and in the first peak vertical force during landing (p<0.05), with greater values in subjects with high-arch feet (C = 5.78 ± 1.29 BW y P = 4.29 ± 0.84 BW). The other variables studied did not show significant differences between groups, although peak vertical forces for the maximum tests were greater in the high-arch feet group, and peak forces during walking and running were slightly greater for the flat feet group. The lack of significant differences does not have to be the limit to pbkp_redict the risk of injury provoked by greater peak forces. Small and not significant differences might be enough to increase this risk. The higher force values found in the high-arch feet group during maximal tests show a higher risk of injury during these kinds of movements. The minimal differences found in the movement patterns between groups could be explained by individual adaptations during the tests.