Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of the foot medial longitudinal arch height in university students and its effect on a person’s muscle flexibility and balance. Patients and Methods: This research was carried out on 81 students ages ranging from 18 to 30 studying at university. The foot medial longitudinal arch height was evaluated with Harris Mat. Students were divided into three groups according to the evaluation of the footprint: Normal, high and low arch. The balance was assessed for all participants with Single-Leg Stance Test and Star Excursion Balance Test. Gastrocnemius and hamstring muscle flexibility were measured by a tape measure. Evaluation results of groups were compared. Results: There were 27 people 21 females, 6 males in all three groups. In the normal arch group, Star Excursion left posterior on the left foot and hamstring muscle flexibility results were found to be statistically higher than the other groups. p0.05 . Conclusion: As a result, it was seen that the increase and decrease of normal foot arch height negatively affected some parameters in dynamic balance and hamstring muscle flexibility and did not affect gastrocnemius muscle flexibility and static balance. It was concluded that balance and muscle flexibility effects should be considered in individuals with foot arch deformity.

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