Footprint Parameters as a Measure of Arch Height

Abstract

The human foot has frequently been categorized into arch height groups based upon analysis of footprint parameters. This study investigates the relationship between directly measured arch height and many of the footprint parameters that have been assumed to represent arch height. A total of 115 male subjects were measured and footprint parameters were calculated from digitized outlines. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine the relationship between footprint measures and arch height. It may be concluded from the results that footprint parameters proposed in the literature (arch angle, footprint index, and arch index) and two further parameters suggested in this study (arch length index and truncated arch index) are invalid as a basis for prediction or categorization of arch height. The categorization of the human foot according to the footprint measures evaluated in this paper represent no more than indices and angles of the plantar surface of the foot itself.

Estudo da impressão plantar obtida durante o teste de Jack em crianças

“…However, the vast majority uses it as a method of direct evaluation of this parameter in epidemiological studies, in the assessment of normal feet, determination of normality criteria and even in flat foot classifications. [1][2][3][4][6][7][8]11,12,[14][15][16] We also find in literature studies that employ other conjugate propedeutic methods to interpret the true meaning of plantar contours, ranging from radiographic measures 2,[17][18][19] to computerized scanning. 20 Therefore its use as a method for studying plantar support becomes undeniable.…”

“…1 Observing its shape we can notice areas of contact and absence of contact, forming a design that identifies the actual human being. This design determined the plantar impression as our first signature, defining whether we are carriers of any anomaly.…”

Análise do arco longitudinal medial em adolescentes usuárias de calçados de salto alto

“…Este último método é atualmente o mais utilizado, por se tratar de um procedimento de fácil obtenção e leitura, rápido, barato e não invasivo 11,12 . É uma maneira de registro permanente e de análise da área e da forma do contato do pé no chão 13 , permitindo a medição quantitativa do arco longitudinal medial.…”

The foot posture index between elite athletic and sedentary college students

“…The methods used in previous studies that investigated the relationship between sports participation and foot posture are based on measurement of width or area of contact on the imprint of the foot (Aydog, et al, 2004(Aydog, et al, , 2005bKulthanan, et al, 2004). The validity of the footprint method has been questioned because footprint variation insufficiently explained arch height measurement (Hawes, Nachbauer, Sovak, & Nigg, 1992).…”