Comparision Between Muscle Strength of Plantar flexors, Dorsiflexors, Invertors, Evertors, Toe grip strength, and Flexibility of Ankle in Individuals with Neutral foot and Flatfoot

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION The arch construction is described as high, normal, or flat. Flatfoot develops when the medial longitudinal arch declines. Muscle strength of foot i.e., plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors, toe grip strength and flexibility of ankle are important elements to aid in injury prevention, support functional movements, maintain foot posture, and promote overall health. Addressing muscle imbalances, flexibility deficits, and weakness through strengthening, stretching, balance training, orthotics, and functional exercises to reduce pain, improve gait, and promote long-term function. OBJECTIVE The study aims to compare the muscle strength of the plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors, toe grip strength, and ankle flexibility in those with flatfoot and those with neutral foot MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty healthy students aged 20 to 24 years participated in the research. Two groups of participants were formed based on their NDT [Navicular Drop Test]. If the NDT value was lesser than 8mm, then those students allocated to group A, i.e., neutral foot and if it was greater than 8mm then, the students were in group B, i.e., flatfoot. Plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors strength was assessed using the push pull dynamometer, and toe grip strength was assessed using the pinch gauge dynamometer. Flexibility of ankle was evaluated using the weight bearing lunge test. STASTISTICALANALYSIS The statistical analysis was done using SPSS 23.0. Frequency and percentage were used to express the category variables. The standard deviation and mean were used to display numerical variables. Based on the criterion of mean >2SD, the data is approximately normally distributed and hence comparison between the groups were carried out by the unpaired t test. P values less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS The mean value of muscle strength of plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors, and toe grip strength, and also weight bearing lunge test is higher in group A when compared to group B. There is significant difference between muscle strength of plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors, with p < 0.001 for all comparisons and toe grip strength with a t-value of 6.405 and p < 0.001, indicating the strength is significantly more in neutral foot when compared to flat foot. The weight bearing lunge test score was also significantly more in neutral foot when compared to flat foot with a t-value of 7.897 and p < 0.001. CONCLUSION Muscle strength of plantar flexors, dorsiflexors, invertors, evertors, and toe grip strength is comparatively higher in neutral foot and weight bearing lunge test measurement is comparatively less in flatfoot, indicating that neutral foot have better muscle strength and flexibility of ankle.