Morphometric Analysis of Ankle and Foot in Classical Bharathanatyam Dancers Using Foot Posture Index (FPI) And Plantar Scan Images (PSI)

Ankle and foot problems not only affect the general population, it also affects the dancers and athletes community. Bharathanatyam is one of the ancient classical dances in India which is a part of natya shastra a bible of classical dances. A total of 50 female bharathanatyam dancers were participated in this study. Arches of the foot were analyzed using plantar scan images (PSI) and the ankle and foot deviation are analyzed using foot posture index (FPI) scale. The parameters Clarkes angle (CA), Staheli index (SI), Chippaux index (CI), and Arch index (AI) from PSI was measured using Autocad 2010 software. The study had shown a high significance that 70% of the bharathanatyam dancers had flattened arch foot, 20% high arched foot, and ankle foot deviations. Due to repetitive loading of the ankle and foot complex during dance practicing and performance from younger age, increases stress over the foot arches and lead to flattening of arch (Pes planus) and that causes the ankle and foot rolling medially “pronated foot”and laterally “supinated foot”. Along with this body mass index (BMI) and physical activity plays a major role in the ankle and foot problems. Sedentary dancers had shown a high level of flatness of the foot arch along with pronated foot. The ankle and foot problems can be reduced by regular diagnosis and assessment, proper warm up and stretching techniques and foot wear modifications should be made to prevent deformities.