Sağlıklı Adölesanlarda Ayakkabı Uygunluğu, Ayakkabı Alışkanlıkları, Ayak Biyomekaniksel Özellikleri ve Beden İmajı Arasındaki İlişkinin Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between footwear suitability, footwear habits, foot biomechanical characteristics and body image in healthy adolescents. The study included 77 healthy adolescent volunteers. The Footwear Assessment Scale (FAS) was used to assess the participants' footwear fit and footwear habits were also assessed. Among biomechanical properties of the foot, arch height was analyzed with the Staheli Index (SI) using a Harris mat. Foot Posture was assessed using the Foot Posture Index (FPI), while the hallux valgus (HV) angle was measured using a goniometer. Body Image Scale (BIS) was used to assess body image. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate foot pain. In our study, shoe suitability averages were above 80%, with comfort being the primary selection criterion, and participants mostly preferred ideal heel height and appropriate upper width. While there was a low to moderate significant correlation between FAS and API (rright= -0,306; rleft= -0,359; p<0,05), there was no significant correlation between FAS and SI and HV angles (p>0.05). This was explained by the fact that API provides a multidimensional biomechanical assessment, whereas the other biomechanical analyses in the study remained two-dimensional. In terms of footwear habits, no relationship was found between the duration of footwear use and foot biomechanical properties (p>0.05). This was attributed to the fact that most of our sample wore appropriate footwear, i.e. high mean scores (>80%) on the FAS. The fact that there was no significant correlation between the BIS and the FAS in the adolescents in our study (rright-left= -0,139) and that comfort was prioritized in shoe selection (63,60%), showed that the effect of body image perception on the shoe preferences of young people was lower than expected. Determining the parameters that influence the normal development of the foot during adolescence will allow for proper health guidance. Keywords: Foot, footwear, foot biomechanics, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.