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302 Does the low arch foot perform differently to the normal arch foot in basic functional tasks?
III I
Does the low arch foot perform differently to the normal arch foot in basic functional tasks?
D. Twomey* &A. Me Intosh 1University Of New South Wales
The aim of this study was to compare the performance in functional tasks of normal and low arched children categorised using footprint and video measurements. Fifty four children participated in this study, twenty seven in each group. The mean age in years was 11.2 (range 9.0 - 12.3). Each child attended a two hours testing session. Seven functional tasks were undertaken: vertical jump test, 30 second lateral hopping test, 1 min balance test on a wobble board, vertical jumps and postural sway tests on force platforms, ankle joint proprioception and isometric strength testing of the dorsi/plantar flexor muscles. All participants undertook the first five tasks, and twenty four all seven. Data were analysed using ANOVA's, independent and paired t-tests and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The subjects were matched for age and there was no significant difference in height or weight between the two groups. The tasks on the force platform also showed no significant differences. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups in the laterally hopping task, with the low arch group finding difficulty performing this task. The plantarflexion isometric test showed a significant difference (p<0.05), with a higher mean value in each of the three measures recorded bilaterally for the low arched group. Unexpectedly the low arched group performed consistently better on the vertical jump test, with a mean difference of 4.3 cm (p= 0.04). Future research investigating muscle function is necessary to explain this result.
III I
Are plantar pressures related to the daily physical activity levels in pre-school children? K. Miekle*, D. Cliff, J. Steele, B. Munro & A. Okley University Of Wollongong
It is speculated that foot pain caused by high plantar pressures generated during walking may decrease the desire to participate in physical activity and, in turn, perpetuate the cycle of obesity. However, the association between dynamic plantar pressures and physical activity levels in children has not been documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dynamic plantar pressure and physical activity in pre-school children. Seventeen boys (mean 4.4 years, range 3.3-5.4; height = 1.07 m ± 0.1; mass = 18.9 kg ± 3.3) and 13 girls (mean 4.3 years, range 3.5-5.1; height = 1.04 m ± 0.1; mass = 17.7 kg ± 3.0) were recruited from 10 preschools in IIlawarra, NSW. Pressures generated under the foot during gait, were measured as each child walked across an emed AT-4 pressure platform (25 Hz) using the one-step method. Each child's average daily physical activity was measured using MTI actigraphs, worn for at least 3 days. Significant negative Pearson correlation coefficients (r=-0.55 and r=-0.67; p<0.05) were identified between physical activity and peak pressures in the total foot and heel regions, respectively, whereby lower levels of average daily physical activity were associated with higher pressures for the boys. Interestingly, the only significant correlation (r=-0.68; p<0.05) for the girls was found between physical activity and pressure generated under toes 2-5. These findings suggest that less physically active children generated higher plantar pressures on specific foot regions which, if excessive, may hinder their desire to participate in physical activity.
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Does the low arch foot perform differently to the normal arch foot in basic functional tasks?
D. Twomey* &A. Me Intosh 1University Of New South Wales
The aim of this study was to compare the performance in functional tasks of normal and low arched children categorised using footprint and video measurements. Fifty four children participated in this study, twenty seven in each group. The mean age in years was 11.2 (range 9.0 - 12.3). Each child attended a two hours testing session. Seven functional tasks were undertaken: vertical jump test, 30 second lateral hopping test, 1 min balance test on a wobble board, vertical jumps and postural sway tests on force platforms, ankle joint proprioception and isometric strength testing of the dorsi/plantar flexor muscles. All participants undertook the first five tasks, and twenty four all seven. Data were analysed using ANOVA's, independent and paired t-tests and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient. The subjects were matched for age and there was no significant difference in height or weight between the two groups. The tasks on the force platform also showed no significant differences. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups in the laterally hopping task, with the low arch group finding difficulty performing this task. The plantarflexion isometric test showed a significant difference (p<0.05), with a higher mean value in each of the three measures recorded bilaterally for the low arched group. Unexpectedly the low arched group performed consistently better on the vertical jump test, with a mean difference of 4.3 cm (p= 0.04). Future research investigating muscle function is necessary to explain this result.
III I
Are plantar pressures related to the daily physical activity levels in pre-school children? K. Miekle*, D. Cliff, J. Steele, B. Munro & A. Okley University Of Wollongong
It is speculated that foot pain caused by high plantar pressures generated during walking may decrease the desire to participate in physical activity and, in turn, perpetuate the cycle of obesity. However, the association between dynamic plantar pressures and physical activity levels in children has not been documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between dynamic plantar pressure and physical activity in pre-school children. Seventeen boys (mean 4.4 years, range 3.3-5.4; height = 1.07 m ± 0.1; mass = 18.9 kg ± 3.3) and 13 girls (mean 4.3 years, range 3.5-5.1; height = 1.04 m ± 0.1; mass = 17.7 kg ± 3.0) were recruited from 10 preschools in IIlawarra, NSW. Pressures generated under the foot during gait, were measured as each child walked across an emed AT-4 pressure platform (25 Hz) using the one-step method. Each child's average daily physical activity was measured using MTI actigraphs, worn for at least 3 days. Significant negative Pearson correlation coefficients (r=-0.55 and r=-0.67; p<0.05) were identified between physical activity and peak pressures in the total foot and heel regions, respectively, whereby lower levels of average daily physical activity were associated with higher pressures for the boys. Interestingly, the only significant correlation (r=-0.68; p<0.05) for the girls was found between physical activity and pressure generated under toes 2-5. These findings suggest that less physically active children generated higher plantar pressures on specific foot regions which, if excessive, may hinder their desire to participate in physical activity.
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