Analysing The Effects of Different Foot Arch Heights on The Leg Muscle Tone and Balance in Young Adults.

Foot posture abnormalities due to high or low arches, such as pes planus (flatfoot) and pes cavus (high-arched foot), significantly impact daily activities, particularly among young adults engaged in prolonged standing, walking, or physical activities. Pes planus is commonly associated with ligamentous laxity, muscle weakness, or genetic predisposition, leading to diminished medial, lateral, and transverse arches, resulting in excessive pronation, instability, and compromised shock absorption. This has been linked to knee pain and altered lower extremity alignment, and individuals with pes planus often experience foot pain, fatigue, and reduced physical performance.

Conversely, pes cavus is characterized by an exaggerated medial and lateral arch and diminished transverse arch, often linked to neuromuscular disorders, tight plantar fascia, or congenital factors. This condition leads to reduced shock absorption and uneven weight distribution, increasing the risk of recurrent ankle sprains, calluses, and metatarsalgia. Individuals with pes cavus frequently encounter discomfort during weight-bearing tasks and difficulties maintaining balance, which can hinder participation in physical and social activities.

Pes planus is linked to excessive pronation, while pes cavus is associated with excessive supination and rigidity, limiting adaptive responses to uneven surfaces. Both conditions have been associated with deficits in static and dynamic balance due to altered foot and lower limb alignment, leading to postural instability and increased sway during quiet standing and movement tasks. These balance deficits highlight the need for comprehensive assessments to identify individuals at greater risk of mobility impairments.

Lower extremity muscle tone plays a critical role in postural stability and overall functional movement, contributing to joint stabilization, shock absorption, and postural control during both static and dynamic activities. Individuals with lower muscle tone and stiffness have been shown to exhibit greater postural sway, indicating reduced postural control. Myotonometry provides reliable, repeatable, and non-invasive measurement of muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity. Muscle strength and power also play a crucial role in foot function, balance, and postural stability by providing the necessary force for efficient movement and weight-bearing. Deficiencies in muscle power can lead to compensatory movement patterns that increase the risk of falls and injuries, particularly in individuals with foot posture abnormalities.

Prior research has examined dynamic balance, static balance, and muscle tone across different foot arch types separately, but no study has integrated foot posture, static and dynamic balance, muscle tone, and muscle strength within a single framework. This study addresses that gap by evaluating these factors together to provide a more comprehensive understanding of how foot posture abnormalities influence postural stability across genders.