Year: 2024 | Month: April | Volume: 14 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 35-43
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240406
Association of Foot Deviations with Foot Functional Activity and Dynamic Balance in Female Kathak Dancers
Dr. Bhagyashree Salekar1, Rashi Patil2, Mrunal Patil3, Dr. Shruti Mankar4
1Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology & Movement Sciences, 2,3Intern, 4Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy.
1,2,3 Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Physiotherapy, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India.
4 PES, Modern College of Physiotherapy, Shivajinagar, Pune, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Bhagyashree Salekar
ABSTRACT
Kathak, an Indian Classical dance involves complex rhythmical foot work which makes Kathak dancers more prone to foot posture deviations and musculoskeletal injuries. Foot deviations can be associated with ankle and foot pain, joint and postural instability, soft tissue injuries, etc. which may negatively affect balance and dance performance. Hence current study aimed to explore association of foot deviation with foot functional activity and dynamic balance among female Kathak dancers. A cross-sectional study design 80 female Kathak dancers between age group of 18- 40 years were assessed for foot deviations, foot functional activity, and dynamic balance by Navicular drop test, foot function index, and Y balance test respectively. Percentile analysis of Navicular drop test showed that a large population of kathak dancers (56.25%) has pronated feet. Foot functional activity showed that maximum population (86.25%) didn’t have any foot function impairment. 25% population had below baseline score in Y balance test showing higher risk of losing balance and musculoskeletal injuries. Pearson’s correlation showed that Navicular drop test has very weak positive correlation with Foot Function Index with R value 0.21and has a very weak negative correlation with Y balance test with R value -0.027 and -0.03 of right & left leg respectively. Thus, current study concludes that Kathak dancers are more prone to have flat feet. Medial Longitudinal Arch Height has very weak positive correlation with foot function and very weak negative correlation with Y balance test suggesting that flat feet have very weak impact on foot function and dynamic balance.
Key words: Kathak dancers, Medial longitudinal arch height, Navicular drop test, Dynamic balance, Foot function index.