DYNAMIC BALANCE SKILLS IN FOOTBALLERS COMPARISON OF FOOT PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION PROFILES AND ERGONOMICS

The aim of the study was to compare foot profiles and ergonomics determined by foot pressure distributions in dynamic balance skills in footballers. The hypothesis of the study is that soccer players with a normal curved foot profile will perform better in dynamic balance skills. Thirty-three (18 males, 15 females) volunteer university student licensed footballers (age: 19 ±1 year) participated in the study. Foot pressure distributions of the athletes were classified using the Chippaux-Smirak index. Dynamic balance skills were measured using a wireless portable balance system (Sigma System Cosmo Gamma, Italy) with 30-second scoring. For statistical comparisons, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse parametric data and Kruskal Wallis-H Test was used to analyse non-parametric data. Spearman Correlation Analysis was used for correlations. As a result of the study, it was observed that there were significant differences between 3 different foot profiles in the single foot (right) dynamic balance values in favour of normal arch, low arch and high arch, respectively. In addition, in the in-group comparison of foot profiles, it was found that the outward and inward tilt percentages in the right foot dynamic balance test were significantly different in favour of the outward slope in all 3 foot profiles (p≤0.05). The fact that the significant difference in dynamic balance findings originating from the foot profile is only seen in the right foot test supports the hypothesis and is thought to originate not only from having a normal hind foot, but also from the influence of the dominant leg. It can be said that foot profiles are partially effective on dynamic balance performance and the motor strategies used by footballers during this performance.