Relationship between Changes in Foot Arch and Sex Differences during the Menstrual Cycle

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between changes in foot characteristics and sex differences during the menstrual cycle in healthy male and female university students. We examined 10 female subjects and 14 male subjects. The menstrual cycle was divided into the three phases: the early follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase via basal body temperature, an ovulation kit, and salivary estradiol and progesterone concentration measurements. Foot characteristics required for the calculation of the arch height index (AHI) were measured using a three-dimensional foot scanner under conditions of 10% and 50% weight-bearing loads. Arch height at 50% of foot length and truncated foot length were measured, and AHI was calculated by dividing arch height by truncated foot length. Arch height flexibility (AHF) was defined as the change in arch height from 10% weight-bearing load to 50% weight-bearing load. AHI was significantly lower in females than in males in the early follicular and ovulatory phases but did not differ significantly between males and females in each phase. AHF did not differ significantly between males and females in each phase. AHI and AHF showed no periodic fluctuation, suggesting that sex differences in AHF may be absent.