Gender-Based Variations in Navicular Drop and Foot Morphometry Among North Indian Adults: Implications for Foot Biomechanics and Clinical Assessment

Introduction: This study was undertaken to understand the effect of gender on foot morphology, including foot arch and foot index (FI), to comprehend their biomechanical implications and relationships in the North Indian adult population aged 20-50 years.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 600 healthy participants (300 male and 300 female participants) aged 20-50 years, excluding individuals with lower limb deformities or injuries.Navicular drop (ND) was measured using a standardized technique, including the modified Brody method.The FI was measured as foot breadth divided by foot length, multiplied by 100.Nonparametric statistical tests were applied because the data were nonnormally distributed.Results: Male participants showed significantly larger foot dimensions (FD; length: 25.40 ± 1.60 cm; breadth: 9.59 ± 0.74 cm) compared with female participants (length: 24.97 ± 1.68 cm; breadth: 9.34 ± 0.93 cm), whereas FI demonstrated no significant difference (p = 0.067).Female participants represent a significantly higher ND (8.29 ± 2.29 mm) than male participants (6.74 ± 2.38 mm), suggesting a decrease in medial longitudinal arch (foot pronation).Though bilateral asymmetry was seen, it was clinically not relevant.Conclusion: These findings confirm the presence of gender-specific variation in foot morphology, with female participants exhibiting a high ND (foot pronation) and male participants demonstrating larger absolute FDs.The study underscores the importance of incorporating gender considerations into biomechanical assessments, rehabilitation strategies, and orthopedic footwear design, providing valuable evidence to inform personalized clinical and ergonomic interventions.