Abstract

The function and performance of the feet depends on their morphology, and particularly on the longitudinal and transverse arch, and the position of the hallux and 5th toe. A number of publications have been devoted to foot morphology, mostly concerned with the relation between the longitudinal arch and morphological features. However, there is a dearth of studies of correlations between the transverse foot arch, and position of the hallux and the 5th toe and body build features. The aim was to determine relationships between longitudinal and transverse arches, hallux and 5th toe positioning and body features in females.Sixty-seven female workers aged 30-40 years from the Railway Hospital in Wilkowice-Bystra, Rehabilitation Non-Public Health Care Institution, and Social Rehabilitation-Education-Rehabilitation Centre in Radzionków were evaluated. The mean age of the participants was 36.5 years. Body weight, height, BMI, and WHR were measured. Plantography was used to determine the Clarke angle, Wejsflog index, and α and β angle.The longitudinal arch correlated with BMI and WHR, p<0.05; p<0.01; p<0.001. The transverse arch, hallux, and 5th toe did not correlate with body build. Investigations of relationships between foot morphology and body build need to be continued. By selecting the most significant features, therapies to counteract foot deformities in adults can be enhanced.The longitudinal arch of the feet correlates with the BMI and WHR indices. Therefore, a pyknic body build promotes flat foot. The transverse arch, hallux and 5th toe do not correlated with body build; thus somatic features do not influence the quality of the front part of the feet.

Key words:

body features, females, correlation, foot arches