Assessment of Plantar Arch Index and the prevalence of foot deformity among athletes and non-athletes students at the University of Uyo, Nigeria

The plantar arch index establishes a concrete relationship between the central and posterior parts of the footprint. The Cavanagh and Rodgers Arch Index (PAI) is a standard mathematical value used as an important determinant in the identification of foot physiology and potential pathology. Cavanagh and Rodgers Arch Index was developed by Cavanagh and Rodgers in 1987 representing the ratio of middle third of a footprint relative to the total area. Foot deformities are a category of acquired and congenital conditions that affect foot functions. Deformed feet can cause individuals to experience mobility problems resulting to weakness, obesity and cardiovascular conditions. Currently, there is no reported research on the prevalence of foot deformities among athletes and non-athletes at University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and this forms the rationale behind this study. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of foot deformities among University of Uyo students using simple random sampling method. Asum total of 800 students (including 500 males and 300 females) aged between 17-40 years. Both male and female athletes as well as non-athletes participated in this study. Endorsing ink, plain tile and white paper were used to obtain the footprints of each participant. The plantar arch index was determined and calculated using the Cavanagh and Rodgers Arch Index. GraphPad Prism software (version 8.0.2) was used to analyzed data obtained from the study. Results obtained from this study showed that athletic males had the plantar arch index of 0.20±0.001 when compared to non-athletic males. Similarly, athletic females had PAI of 0.20±0.003 and 0.19±0.002 for right and left foot respectively when compared to non- athletic females with PAI of 0.23±0.008 and 0.22±0.009 for right and left foot respectively. These values correspond with the Cavanagh and Rodgers arch index for high arch (pes cavus) which is one of the foot pathologies. Our study indicated the presence of pes cavus among athletic students for both male and female and standards of foot normality among non-athletic students (male and female) of the University of Uyo, Nigeria.