Tibialis posterior strength and lower extremity kinematics in Kathak dancers with pronated feet: A biomechanical analysis

Abstract Study aim The aim of this study is to find out the correlation between a pronated foot with tibialis posterior muscle strength and lower extremity kinematics during gait in Kathak dancers. Materials and methods An observational study in which 30 female Kathak dancers of age ranging from 18 to 25 years were included after assessing for foot type and tibialis posterior muscle strength was conducted, and lower extremity kinematics were analyzed. Foot posture index, tibialis posterior muscle strength: manual muscle testing (modified Medical Research Council grading), lower limb kinematics (GaitON Software) were the outcome measures used to assess. Results Statistical analysis was done using the Pearson correlation coefficient test, according to which there is no correlation between foot posture index and tibialis posterior muscle strength ( p > 0.05). There is a significant positive correlation between foot posture index and frontal plane rear foot angle during midstance bilaterally. Conclusion The study concludes that tibialis posterior muscle strength has not been affected in Kathak dancers with a pronated foot. Lower limb kinematics in the frontal plane has been affected more than sagittal plane kinematics in kathak dancers with a pronated foot.