The effect of long-standing time on foot morphology in the air transportation

In this study; it is aimed to investigate the effect of the long-standing time on foot structure, based on the hypothesis that the work at standing position for long time cause the deformations in the shape and dome structure of the foot comparing with work at sitting position for a long time. Foot measurements were obtained from 42 flight attendant (17 male, 25 female) aged between 21-43 years which spends most of their working time by standing. Control group contained 35 employees (17 male, 18 female) aged between 20-55 years who works in the office conditions at Adana Airport. After weight, height and lower limb height were measured, the foot measurements were performed by using tape measure and anthropometric set. These measurements were length, breadth, height and circumference of foot and foot segments. SPSS 17.0 proramme were used for statistical analysis. Taking all measurements together, There were significant differences between male and female (p<0,001-0,003) except leg lenght, all foot arches on right side and distance between Feiss line and navicula. Significantly differences was found between office workers and flight attendants for navicular height, tarsal height, foot breadth, ankle circumference, bimalleolar circumference, distance between Feiss line and navicula (p<0,05). These findings showed that working for long-standing time cause the change of foot structure because of static contraction of muscles. In conclusion, it is thought that the results of this first study about flight attendans'foot morphological analysis will make a contribution to understsanding of the effect of long-standing time on foot morphology and the foot dimensions in the air transportation employees.