RAMIFICATION OF STATIC BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES ON PLANTAR PARAMETERS IN PAEDIATRIC POPULATION
Description
BACKGROUND: Rigid gait patterns and non-efficient weight transfer are directly related to abnormal excess supination of the foot, producing an asymmetry in pressure transmission between lower extremities. Such biomechanical inefficiency may adversely affect balance, predispose musculoskeletal injury, and cause postural instability in growing children. With dynamic remodelling of the morphology of the foot and musculoskeletal system across growth, it is important to know the interaction between age, morphology of the foot, and biomechanical flexibility. A thorough assessment of the aforementioned factors can offer useful information regarding pediatric foot health, guiding both clinical evaluation and prevention procedures to avert long-term complications. AIM: To determine the consequence of static biomechanical lower extremity kinetic chain variables on foot posture in paediatric population. METHODOLOGY: A correlational study was carried out at M.M. International School, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, between March 2023 and March 2025. A convenience sample of 200 healthy school children aged 5-15 years was taken. Hip external and internal rotation Range Of Motion (ROM) and Q-angle were assessed with a universal goniometer, while plantar parameters including Staheli Arch Index, Chippaux-Smirak Index, and Clarke's Angle were measured by Harris Mat footprints. Statistical analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics Version 20. Normality tests guided the application of either Pearson's or Spearman's correlation to investigate correlations between hip ROM, Q-angle, and plantar parameters. Multiple regression analysis evaluated the predictive power of biomechanical factors on plantar parameters, and interpretation was based on Portney and Watkins criteria. RESULTS: Results from 200 children (5–15 years) revealed considerable variation in hip ROM, Q-angle, and plantar parameters. As variables were not normally distributed, Spearman's correlation was used. Hip ROM was negatively correlated with plantar parameters, reflecting its contribution to foot posture. Q-angle had significant correlations with arch indices. Multiple regressions validated hip ROM and Q-angle as predictors of plantar parameters, supporting the biomechanical connection between proximal and distal lower limb factors. CONCLUSION: Hip ROM and Q-angle also have significant effects on foot posture, and lower hip external rotation is associated with lower arch height and more pronation. The results point out the significance of early assessment of biomechanics to inform intervention for better lower limb function in children.
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Institutions
- Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation