An Analysis of Soleus Muscle Tightness and Intrinsic Foot Muscle Weakness in Individuals with Flatfoot – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract Background: Flat foot is related with modified foot biomechanics, where intrinsic foot muscle weakness and calf muscle tightness, particularly of the soleus muscle are deemed assisting factors. Understanding the relationship between these variables may and in better assessment and rehabilitation strategies for individuals with flatfoot. Objective: To analyze the relationship between intrinsic foot muscle strength, soleus muscle tightness in individuals with flatfoot. Methods: A cross – sectional study was conducted in individuals assessed with flatfoot. intrinsic foot muscle by using toe curl endurance test, soleus tightness by knee to wall test and flatfoot by feiss line. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to analysis the relationship between these variables. statistical significance was setup at p<0.05. Results: Pearson correlation analysis showed a very weak positive correlation between the knee to wall test and toe curl endurance test (r=0.013, p=0.945). A weak negative correlation was observed between the knee to wall test and feiss line measurement (r=-0.283, p=0.130). Additionally, a weak positive correlation was found between toe curl endurance test and feiss line value (r=0.121, p=0.523). none of the correlation were statistically significant. Conclusion: The study concludes than there is no statistically significant relationship between soleus muscle tightness, intrinsic foot muscle strength in individuals with flatfoot. These show that intrinsic muscle weakness and soleus tightness act this population, the factors may act separately instead of being directly linked. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to explore this relationship more extensively.