Abstract
Background and Study Aim. Foot health and physical fitness in children are closely interconnected, playing a vital role in ensuring their overall well-being and performance. This study aims to determine the relationship between flat feet, body balance, and physical performance of junior high school students.
Material and Methods. A total of 109 junior high school students from five schools in Surabaya, Indonesia, with ages ranging from 12 to 14 years, participated in this research. Data collection was through the wet footprint test, stork standing balance test, Bass test, Y-agility Test, and Illinois Change of Direction Test. The correlation of flat feet with static and dynamic balance and physical performance in the school environment was analyzed using the non-parametric Spearman Rank statistical test.
Results. The results showed significant relationships between foot grade and static balance, dynamic balance, agility, and change of direction. These relationships were indicated by correlation coefficients that showed statistical significance at p < 0.05. Additionally, static and dynamic balance exhibited a negative correlation, while agility and change of direction showed a positive correlation. This suggests that higher foot grades corresponded to longer durations in static and dynamic balance tests and shorter completion times in agility and change of direction tasks.
Conclusions. The findings of this study highlight the importance of investigating the relationship between flat feet, body balance, and physical performance among junior high school students. Understanding these correlations is crucial for optimizing the overall well-being and performance of adolescents.
Reference31 articles.
1. Jaszczur-Nowicki J, Kruczkowski D, Bukowska J. Analysis of the distribution of foot force on the ground before and after a kinaesthetic stimulation. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, 2019;29(86): 19–27. https://doi.org/10.5604/01.3001.0014.1273
2. Zhao X, Gu Y, Yu J, Ma Y, Zhou Z. The Influence of Gender, Age, and Body Mass Index on Arch Height and Arch Stiffness. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2020;59(2): 298–302. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2019.08.022
3. Romanova E, Kolokoltsev M, Vorozheikin A, Baatar B, Khusman O, Purevdorj D, et al. Comprehensive program for flat foot and posture disorders prevention by means of physical education in 6-year-old children. J Phys Educ Sport. 2022;22(11):2655–62.
4. Kim HY, Shin HS, Ko JH, Cha YH, Ahn JH, Hwang JY. Gait Analysis of Symptomatic Flatfoot in Children: An Observational Study. Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, 2017;9(3): 363. https://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2017.9.3.363
5. Kurniagung PP, Indarto D, Rahardjo SS. Meta Analysis the Effect of Body Mass Index on the Flat Foot Incidence. J Epidemiol Public Heal. 2020;5(3):329–38. https://doi.org/10.26911/jepublichealth.2020.05.03.07