The Relationship between Foot Arch Angle and Individual Stability

Foot arch types are categorized into three forms: high, normal and flat. Each arch type can influence walking, standing and athletic performance. However, limited research has explored the relationship between foot arch structure and individual stability. This study aimed to examine the correlation between foot arch type and dynamic balance. Thirty participants (15 males and 15 females) mean aged 23.40 ± 0.894 years underwent two tests: the Clarke’s Angle Test and the Y-Balance Test. Clarke’s Angle Test determined foot arch type, while the Y-Balance Test assessed dynamic stability in three directions: anterior, posterolateral and posteromedial. Pearson’s correlation was used for statistical analysis. A significant positive correlation was found between normal foot arch angles and Y-Balance scores in the posterolateral (r = 0.638, p = .004) and posteromedial (r = 0.640, p = .004) directions. In contrast, high arch angles showed strong but statistically non-significant negative correlations in all directions. Flat arch angles showed no significant relationship with balance. These findings suggest individuals with normal arches may exhibit superior dynamic stability, while flat and high arch types require further investigation due to inconsistent trends.