Evaluation of Biomechanical Parameters of the Sole of the Foot in Young Overweight ‎Girls on Bipedal Postural Balance

Overweight and obesity may be associated with the flat foot deformity or an aggravating factor. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical parameters of the soles of the feet of young overweight girls compared to normal individuals during postural control.                                                                                             

The statistical sample consisted of 44 female students with a mean body mass index of 26.78±1.67 and 21.35±1.38 as overweight (n=22) and normal groups (n=22). Anthropometric characteristics and plantar indices were recorded using a camera pedoscope during postural stability. Independent t-test was used to compare intergroup results and Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine the correlation of Body mass index (BMI) with biomechanical parameters of the foot. Tests were analyzed at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS software version 24.

The overweight group compared with the control group had significant difference in the parameters of arch width, Staheli index of right and left foot and Chipax-Smirak index of right and left foot (p>0.05). The correlation coefficient between body mass index (BMI) and biomechanical parameters of the sole of the foot in all areas showed a positive and significant relationship (p>0.05), with the strongest correlation between BMI and left Staheli Index (SIL) (r=0.638 and p=0.001).

The findings of the present study has emphasized that obesity can affect the biomechanical parameters of the sole of the foot and may exacerbate or reduce the arch of the sole. Therefore, these abnormalities should be prevented from an early age, with weight control.