The foot’s key structural variables as essential diagnostic predictors in assessing overall postural stability in school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

Introduction
The WHO Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2018) on the health status of adolescents in Europe highlights an escalation of factors instrumental in the development of postural defects, which may consequently deteriorate into serious postural complaints in adulthood.

Aim of the research
To investigate the correlations between the morphological structure of the foot and postural stability in children and adolescents.

Material and methods
The study sample comprised 627 children (aged 10–15 years), who had the plantar part of their feet assessed in static conditions with a 2D Podoscan. Individual foot loading paradigm variables were assessed with a baropodometric platform. Postural assessment was completed with 2D Videography, facilitating morphological measurements of body asymmetry.

Results
Valgus of the knees, Clarke’s left foot angle, and Wejsflog index values also doubled as strong predictors of centre of the foot’s pressure (COP) length. A negative correlation was established between the COP length and obesity, hallux valgus of the left foot, flat-footedness, and lowered longitudinal foot arches.

Conclusions
Higher COP surface area values were observed in the children affected by valgus of the knees, higher angle of the hallux valgus in the left foot, and those with longer feet. Clarke’s L-foot angle, Wejsflog index, and valgus of the knees proved to be strong predictors affecting key postural stability variables.