Comparative Analysis of Foot Arch Index between Yogic and Non-Yogic Female Practitioners

Abstract

IntroductionWith advancing age in females, gait patterns change due to several factors, including nutritional and hormonal influences. These changes can lead to a lowering of the foot arch, resulting in mild valgus and varus deformities. Regular yoga practice may help tone the musculoskeletal system of the foot, promoting the maintenance of the medial longitudinal, transverse, and lateral arches. Study Aim This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the arch indices of female yoga practitioners to those of non-practitioners in order to ascertain how yoga affected female arch indices. Materials and Methods Fourteen female students from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, participated in the study, seven of which were regular yoga practitioners and seven were non-yoga practitioners. Their left and right arch indices were determined by taking measurements from their footprints. A Mann Whitney U test was used to compare the foot arch indices of the two groups. Results A statistically significant difference between the left as well as right foot arch indices of females was revealed. ConclusionThe study concludes that females who practice yoga may experience foot arch plasticity which is not necessarily evident in non-yoga practitioners. Future studies should test larger sample sizes and different genders.