Foot morphology as a predictor of hallux valgus development in children.

An excess of body weight can produce morphological changes in the feet of children. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological differences of the foot in children based on their body mass index and to determine the risk factors for the development of a hallux valgus in childhood and adolescence. One Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Eight children (5-17 years) were classified as group with obesity, overweight, and normal weight. Lengths, widths, heights and angles of both feet was measured with a 3D scanner. The risk of developing hallux valgus was calculated. Group with overweight and obesity presented longer feet (p = 0.00), wider metatarsals (p = 0.00) and wider heels (p = 0.00). Arch height was lower (p > 0.01) in the group with obesity, and the hallux angle was greater in the group with normal weight (p < 0.05). The relative risk of a lateral hallux deviation increases with age, foot length and heel width (Exp (B) > 1). Children with overweight and obesity had longer and wider feet. The arch height was higher in children with overweight, and lower in children with obesity. Age, foot length, and heel width could be risk factors for the development of hallux valgus, while metatarsal width and arch height could be protective factors. Monitorization of the development and characterization of the foot in childhood as a clinical tool could help professionals to early identify the patients presenting risk factors and prevent future deformities and other biomechanical conditions in adulthood by implementing protecting measures.

Environmental Factors as a Cause of Differences in the Feet of Ecuadorian Children and Its Relation to Their Footwear.

The objective of this study was to analyze the differences in foot measurements of Ecuadorian children according to their geographical location of residence, taking into account climatic differences (1). A total of 1662 children (2) participated in the study. Three groups were established: coast, mountains and amazonia. The type of footwear (3) used was recorded and the lengths, widths, perimeters, heights and angles of both (4) feet were analyzed with a 3D foot digitizer (5). The variable 'fitting of the foot to footwear' was also obtained. Children living in coastal areas presented greater lengths, widths, perimeters and heights compared to those living in the mountain (p > 0.001) and amazonia (p < 0.001) between ages 5 to 13. Mountain residents showed a greater first toe angle than coast residents (p > 0.001) aged 8 to 17. Children used shoes smaller than required by their foot length (p < 0.01). Ecuadorian children from the coast presented longer and wider feet with higher foot arches, whilst those from mountains presented greater first toe angle. The studied sample used footwear up to one size smaller than the size corresponding to their foot length. The fitting and type of footwear used according to climatic differences could be interfering with normal foot development.

¿Afecta una clase de Educación Física a las dimensiones del pie de los niños? / Does a Physical Education lesson affect the foot morphology in school-aged children?

Resumen: Introducción: Analizar las variaciones que se producen en las medidas morfológicas del pie de los niños escolares, tras la realización de una clase de Educación Física. Metodología: Participaron voluntariamente 10 escolares (5 niños y 5 niñas) con una media de edad de 9.3 ± 0.5 años. Se llevó a cabo la digitalización de ambos pies de manera consecutiva, a través de un escáner en 3D modelo IFU-S-01, Japón. Se calcularon las dimensiones del pie en dos momentos diferentes, antes y después de una clase de Educación Física (pre y post ejercicio) donde se realizaron diferentes actividades que implicaban desplazamientos, saltos y amortiguaciones. Resultados: Al comparar las medidas del pie antes y después del ejercicio se observaron diferencias significativas en la altura del arco plantar, que fue mayor tras la realización de actividad física (p<0.05). El ancho del antepié presentó mayores valores tras el ejercicio sin significancia estadística (p=0.07; tamaño del efecto [ES] = 0.2). Además, se observaron correlaciones positivas entre el ancho del antepié y la altura del arco (r = 0.6; p<0.05); y negativas entre la longitud del talón a la cabeza del metatarso I y el ancho del antepié (r = - 0.7; p<0.05). Conclusiones: El tipo de actividades realizadas durante la clase de Educación Física (desplazamientos, saltos y amortiguaciones) podría causar mayor presión en la zona del antepié, provocando mayor altura del arco plantar. Los sistemas de desarrollo del calzado deportivo infantil deberían tener en cuenta tanto las longitudes del pie, cómo sus anchuras y alturas, para un mejor ajuste del zapato, previniendo lesiones osteomusculares futuras.

Abstract: Background: To analyze the changes in foot morphology in school-age children, after a Physical Education lesson. Methods: A total of 10 school-age children (5 girls and 5 boys) were recruited with a mean age of 9.3 ± 0.5 years that voluntary participated in this study. Measurements of both feet were obtained using a 3D foot digitizer model IFU-S-01 (Japan) in two different moments, before and after a physical education lesson (per-exercise and post-exercise), where different activities involving displacements, jumps and landings were performed. Results: By comparing foot morphology before and after exercise, significant differences in the arch height were found, which increased after exercise (p<0.05). The ball width shows greater changes after exercise but without significant differences (p= 0.07; effect size [ES] = 0.2). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the ball width and the arch height (p<0.05) and negative correlation between the distance from the heel to the first metatarsal and the ball width (r = - 0.7; p<0.05), were observed. Conclusions: The type of activities undertaken during physical education lesson (displacements, jumps and landings) increased the pressure on the forefoot, which would lead to a lager arch height. Development of children's sport footwear systems should take into account the foot lengths, widths and heights, for a better fit, preventing future musculoskeletal injuries.

[Does a Physical Education lesson affect the foot morphology in school-aged children?] / ¿Afecta una clase de Educación Física a las dimensiones del pie de los niños?

BACKGROUND: To analyze the changes in foot morphology in school-age children, after a Physical Education lesson. METHODS: A total of 10 school-age children (5 girls and 5 boys) were recruited with a mean age of 9.3 ± 0.5 years that voluntary participated in this study. Measurements of both feet were obtained using a 3D foot digitizer model IFU-S-01 (Japan) in two different moments, before and after a physical education lesson (per-exercise and post-exercise), where different activities involving displacements, jumps and landings were performed. RESULTS: By comparing foot morphology before and after exercise, significant differences in the arch height were found, which increased after exercise (p<0.05). The ball width shows greater changes after exercise but without significant differences (p= 0.07; effect size [ES] = 0.2). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the ball width and the arch height (p<0.05) and negative correlation between the distance from the heel to the first metatarsal and the ball width (r = - 0.7; p<0.05), were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The type of activities undertaken during physical education lesson (displacements, jumps and landings) increased the pressure on the forefoot, which would lead to a lager arch height. Development of children's sport footwear systems should take into account the foot lengths, widths and heights, for a better fit, preventing future musculoskeletal injuries.