Evaluation of the relationship between foot biomechanics and lower extremity muscle mechanics, balance, and strength

This study aims to investigate the relationship between foot biomechanics, lower extremity muscle mechanics, anaerobic power, and balance in young adults. A total of 56 undergraduate students from Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University participated in the study. The measurements of each participant's calcaneotibial angle, navicular drop test, foot length, and metatarsal width were recorded. Muscle mechanical measurements were performed using the MyotonPRO (MYOTON AS, Tallinn, Estonia) device, including both lower extremities of the participants. Static balance was assessed using the Flamingo Balance Test (FDT), while static and dynamic balance were evaluated using the Korebalance Balance Test (KDT). Foot posture was assessed with the Foot Posture Index (FPI), and anaerobic power was measured with vertical jump tests. According to the study's findings, no statistically significant relationship was found between the Foot Posture Index and muscle mechanical measurements in young adults (p>0.05). However, statistically significant positive relationships were found between the Flamingo Balance Test and the Foot Posture Index, and between the Korebalance Balance Test and the Flamingo Balance Test (p<0.05). Statistically significant relationships were observed between muscle mechanical measurements and foot biomechanical measurements (p<0.05), and a statistically significant positive relationship was also seen between lower extremity muscle mechanical measurements and the Flamingo Balance Test (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that the balance tests used in the assessment support each other and that muscle mechanical properties may have an impact on balance performance. These findings highlight important areas that need further investigation regarding the relationships between foot biomechanics, lower extremity muscle mechanics, and balance.