association between plantar arch and genu recurvatum among college going students

BACKGROUND: The lower limb biomechanics play a crucial role in maintaining proper posture, stability, and gait. The plantar arch, a complex structure of bones, muscles, and ligaments in the foot, acts as a shock absorber and contributes to efficient weight distribution. Genu recurvatum, characterized by hyperextension of the knee joint beyond a straight leg, can lead to various complications like pain, instability, and increased risk of injuries.
Despite extensive research on lower limb biomechanics, the potential link between plantar arch morphology and genu recurvatum in young adults remains relatively unexplored. University students, engaging in prolonged sitting or physically demanding activities, may be particularly susceptible to musculoskeletal problems.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the potential association between plantar arch morphology and genu recurvatum in a university student population. The primary objective is to determine if a correlation exists between different foot arch types (e.g., flat feet, high arches) and the degree of knee hyperextension.
METHOD: This observational study investigated the relationship between plantar arch morphology and genu recurvatum in university students (18-25 years old) at Maharishi Markandeshwar University, India. A purposive sampling technique yielded 57 participants with knee hyperextension (>5 degrees). Plantar arch index was measured using footprints, and genu recurvatum angle was assessed with a goniometer. Demographic data (height, weight, BMI) was also collected. Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS 26.0 aimed to identify correlations between these measures.
RESULT: The study investigated the demographic attributes and their interrelationships among 57 participants. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests revealed non-normal distributions for age, weight, BMI, and GR angle. However, height and PAI showed normal distributions. Spearman correlation analyses indicated no significant correlation between weight and PAI (r = 0.072), height and PAI (r = 0.116), PAI and BMI (r = 0.20), GR angle and weight (r = -0.245), GR angle and height (r = -0.206), or GR angle and BMI (r = -0.175). However, a significant correlation was found between GR angle and PAI (r = 0.375, p = 0.004). These findings suggest that while certain demographic attributes exhibit non-normal distributions, there is limited correlation between them, except for a notable association between GR angle and PAI.
CONCLUSION: This study suggests a link between flat feet (low plantar arch) and hyperextended knees (genu recurvatum) in college students. Understanding foot structure may be crucial for assessing lower limb posture and injury risk in young adults. Further research can confirm this association and inform preventive strategies for musculoskeletal problems.

背景：下肢生物力学在维持正确的姿态、稳定性和步态方面发挥着至关重要的作用。足弓，作为足部骨骼、肌肉和韧带的复杂结构，充当着减震器并有助于有效分配体重。膝关节过伸（genu recurvatum），表现为膝关节在直腿状态下的过度伸展，可能导致诸如疼痛、不稳定和增加受伤风险等多种并发症。尽管对下肢生物力学进行了广泛的研究，但足弓形态与年轻人膝关节过伸之间潜在的联系仍相对未被充分探索。参与长期坐着或进行体力要求较高活动的大学学生，可能特别容易受到肌肉骨骼问题的困扰。
目标：本研究旨在调查足弓形态与大学生膝关节过伸之间的潜在关联。主要目标是确定不同足弓类型（例如，扁平足、高弓足）与膝关节过度伸展程度之间是否存在相关性。
方法：这项观察性研究调查了印度玛哈里希·玛尔卡恩德什瓦尔大学（Maharishi Markandeshwar University）18-25岁大学生中足弓形态与膝关节过伸之间的关系。采用目的抽样技术选取了57名膝关节过度伸展（>5度）的参与者。使用足迹测量足弓指数，并使用量角器评估膝关节过伸角度。同时收集了人口统计学数据（身高、体重、BMI）。使用IBM SPSS 26.0进行统计分析，旨在识别这些测量值之间的相关性。
结果：本研究调查了57名参与者的人口统计学特征及其相互关系。柯尔莫哥洛夫-斯米尔诺夫检验显示，年龄、体重、BMI和GR角度呈非正态分布。然而，身高和PAI表现出正态分布。斯皮尔曼相关分析表明，体重与PAI（r = 0.072）、身高与PAI（r = 0.116）、PAI与BMI（r = 0.20）、GR角度与体重（r = -0.245）、GR角度与身高（r = -0.206）或GR角度与BMI（r = -0.175）之间没有显著的关联。然而，GR角度与PAI（r = 0.375，p = 0.004）之间存在显著的相关性。这些发现表明，尽管某些人口统计学特征表现出非正态分布，但它们之间仅存在有限的关联，除GR角度与PAI之间存在显著的关联外。
结论：本研究表明，扁平足（低足弓）与大学生中过度伸展的膝关节（genu recurvatum）之间存在联系。了解足部结构对于评估青年人的下肢姿势和受伤风险至关重要。进一步的研究可以证实这种关联，并为预防肌肉骨骼问题提供策略。