The relationship between footwear fit and foot deformities, musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity level

Abstract

Aim: To determine the relationship between footwear fit and foot deformities, musculoskeletal disorders, and physical activity level.Material and Methods: One hundred physically healthy individuals were included in the study. Footwear fit was examined via thefootwear assessment score, foot deformities were examined via the Total Foot Deformity Scoring and musculoskeletal disorderswere evaluated with Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire. The physical activity level of the individuals was measuredby the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationshipbetween variables.Results: No statistically significant relationship was found between footwear fit and right foot deformity scores (p> 0.05). However,there was a weak negative correlation between the participants’ footwear fit and left foot pes planus (r = -0.242, p = 0.015), pes cavus(r = -0.245, p = 0.014), and total deformity scores (r = -0.208, p = 0.038). There was no statistically significant relationship betweenfootwear fit and musculoskeletal disorders and physical activity levels (p> 0.05).Conclusion: There was no relationship between footwear fit and musculoskeletal pain and physical activity level in the studypopulation. However, it was found that proper footwear use was associated with foot deformities. It is considered that the presentstudy can be used in the future as a reference in studies conducted with populations with certain pathologies.