Comparison of Time to Stability During Single-Leg Landing Between Female Athletes With Flexible Flat Feet and Normal Feet

Paper ID : 1643-SPORTCONGRESS

Authors

Sara Zeynali1, مصطفی زارعی *2, پیمان آقائی عطاآبادی3, عاطفه رحیمی جمال4 1ندارم. 2دانشگاه شهید بهشتی 3دانشگاه تهران 4ندارد

Abstract

Abstract Background and Purpose: Flexible flatfoot, a common lower-limb deformity, may affect postural control and dynamic stability by altering load distribution and proprioceptive feedback. Since single-leg landing is a frequent and critical movement in jumping sports, examining its kinetic parameters is essential for understanding injury mechanisms and developing preventive strategies. This study aimed to compare kinetic components—particularly Time to Stability (TTS)—during single-leg landing between female athletes with flexible flat feet and those with normal feet. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited female athletes aged 20–30 years from jumping sports. Participants were classified into flexible flatfoot and normal-foot groups based on the navicular drop test. Inclusion criteria required at least three years of regular training, no lower-limb injury or surgery in the past six months. Kinetic data were collected using a Bertec force plate sampling at 1000 Hz. Each subject performed three single-leg landings from a 32 cm step, maintaining balance for five seconds post-landing. Key variables included TTS and Loading Rate (maximal vertical ground reaction force normalized to body weight, divided by the time to reach it). Data were processed using a custom MATLAB toolbox and compared between groups using independent t-tests (P<0.05). Results: No significant differences were observed between the flexible flatfoot (0.25±0.6) and normal-foot (0.58±0.2) groups in Time to Stability (P=0.83). Conclusion: flexible flatfoot did not significantly affect dynamic stability during a single-leg landing task. It is likely that long-term neuromuscular adaptations and task-specific skills compensate for potential mechanical deficits arising from the altered medial arch structure. These findings highlight the importance of functional adaptation in athletes. Future research should explore the influence of fatigue, corrective exercises, and the role of intrinsic foot muscles on dynamic stability in this population.

Keywords

Keywords: time to stability, flexible flatfoot, single-leg landing

Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation)