Eur J Anat, 9 (3): 135-142 (2005)

Evaluation and analysis of the footprint of young individuals. A comparative study between football players and non-players

Lopez N., Alburquerque F., Santos M., Sanchez M., Dominguez R.

Ibermutuamur Salamanca; University of Salamanca; University School, Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Salamanca; E.U. de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universidad de Salamanca, Avda. Campo Charro s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain

ABSTRACT We report an evaluation, using a pedigraph, of young football players (n=100) belonging to the juvenile and amateur categories (16-25 years) from two football clubs in Salamanca, carrying out a comparative study with the results obtained in a population of university students (n=37) of similar chronological age who did not practice any officially federated sport. From the footprint, we calculated the Chippaux index and the Clarke angle. To complete the study, we obtained an assessment of the calcaneus-tibia angle under load using a goniometer. The results point to homogeneity among the groups as regards the parameters measured on the footprints (Chippaux index and Clarke angle). Thus, all three groups had a normal foot according to the Clarke angle, while the Chippaux index reflected a normal left foot and an intermediate right foot according to the Horawa and Jawroski classifications. In contrast, heterogeneity was seen for the hindfoot angle, with a tendency towards physiological valgus in the right foot, while the left foot showed values close to neutrality for that parameter.

Keywords: adolescent, adult, article, athlete, calcaneus, comparative study, controlled study, foot pad, foot sole, football, goniometry, hallux valgus, hallux varus, human, human experiment, load carrying capacity, male, tibia, university student, weight bearing