Affiliations: [a] Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan | [b] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan | [c] Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan | [d] Faculty of Frontier Engineering, Institute of Science and Engineering, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan | [e] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China | [f] Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Noriaki Maeda, Department of Sport Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan. Tel.: +81 82 257 5410; Fax: +81 82 257 5344; E-mail: norimmi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Foot arch dynamics play an important role in dynamic postural control. Association between foot arch dynamics and postural control among adolescent athletes remains poorly explored. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between foot arch dynamics, intrinsic foot muscle (IFM) morphology, and toe flexor strength and dynamic postural stability after jump landing and repetitive rebound jump performance in competitive adolescent athletes. METHODS: Based on foot arch dynamics, evaluated from relative change in the foot arch height in sitting and standing positions, 50 adolescent athletes were classified as stiff, normal, or flexible. IFM morphology was evaluated by ultrasonography. Dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) was measured as participants jumped and landed with the right leg onto a force plate, whereas repetitive rebound jumping performance was assessed using the jump height and reactive jump index. RESULTS: The stiff group had a significantly worse DPSI and vertical stability index than the normal group (p= 0.26, p= 0.44, respectively), and worse anteroposterior stability index (APSI) values than the flexible group (p= 0.005). Multivariate regression models of the relationship between the APSI and foot arch dynamics showed adequate power (probability of error = 0.912). CONCLUSIONS: Increased foot arch stiffness negatively affects dynamic balance during jump-landing, which may deteriorate their performance.
