Comparison of Static Postural Stability Performance Among Adolescents with Different Foot Types

The foot represents a small base of support as an important biomechanical parameter that the body maintains balance. It is assumed that postural stability performance could be affected by even minor alteration in the support surface in upright standing position. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if individuals with different foot types would demonstrate differences in static postural stability performance. Sixty adolescent girls were categorized into three groups depending on their bilateral foot types namely, pronated, supinated and rectus feet. Foot types defined by Navicular-drop measures. We measured static stability performance with the Balance Error Scoring System once firm and once on a foam surface. ANOVA with repeated measures was employed for statistical analyses (p<0.05). Results showed no significant differences between individuals with pronated and rectus feet were revealed for static stability scores while standing on the firm surface. Pronated group showed a poor balance performance while tested on the foam surface in comparison with rectus group. Subjects with supinated feet had a poorer static stability performance on both firm and foam surfaces than others groups. These results demonstrated that static stability performance could be affected by foot type