Characteristics of calcaneal inclination of children in the upright standing position

Koji Koyama; Tomomi Ichiba; Kozo Furushima; Yoshinori Sugano; Azusa Niitsu; Yuka Kodachi; Sosuke Niino; Mayumi Ueno; Kazutaka Adachi

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Characteristics of calcaneal inclination of children in the upright standing position

VernacularTitle:子どもの直立位における踵骨の傾きの特徴
Author: Koji KOYAMA ¹ ; Tomomi ICHIBA ² ; Kozo FURUSHIMA ³ ; Yoshinori SUGANO ⁴ ; Azusa NIITSU ⁴ ; Yuka KODACHI ⁴ ; Sosuke NIINO ⁴ ; Mayumi UENO ⁴ ; Kazutaka ADACHI ⁵
Author Information

1. Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences
2. Kyorin University
3. Keiyu Orthopaedic Hospital
4. SSSA Sports Massage Clinic
5. University of Tsukuba
Keywords: calcaneal inclination; sagittal spinal alignment; center of pressure position
From:Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine 2024;73(2):85-93
CountryJapan
Language:Japanese
Abstract: Calcaneal inclination in children may influence their standing posture. However, the calcaneal inclination of modern children is unclear. This study aimed to clarify the characteristics of calcaneal inclination and its effects on spinal alignment and the center of pressure (COP) position in children. The study included 402 elementary school children (208 boys, 194 girls). The variables measured included calcaneal inclination, lower leg lateral inclination angle, spinal alignment, and COP position. The mean calcaneal inclination was 4.40 ± 3.5°, indicating mild eversion. Calcaneal inclination was classified into calcaneal eversion (+), calcaneal introversion (-), and a mid-heel position. Overall, 3.7% (15/402) of the subjects had bilateral calcaneal introversion (-), 18.2% (73/402) had unilateral calcaneal introversion (-), and 21.9% (88/402) had calcaneal introversion (-). An examination of the relationship between calcaneal inclination and each measured variable showed a significance level of <5% between calcaneal inclination and age, height, and body weight, but the correlation coefficients were <0.2 each, indicating little correlation. However, a significant correlation was found between right and left calcaneal inclination and the right and left lower leg lateral inclination angles. Overall, 21.9% (88/402) of the elementary school children had calcaneal inclination in a standing posture. These results suggest that calcaneal inclination may not affect spinal alignment and COP position.