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

Abstract

As women get older, they experience a variety of physical and hormonal changes that significantly alter the biomechanics of their musculoskeletal system. This study looked at how yoga affected the participants' foot arch indices. This study's objective was to compare the arch indices of female yoga practitioners with those of non-practitioners to ascertain how yoga affected female arch indices. In the present experimental study, fourteen female students (seven each were yoga practitioners and non-yoga practitioners) from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, were selected using purposive sampling method. Their arch indices were determined by measuring their footprints which were obtained on a paper using ink pad. The alpha level for the t-test was set at P < 0.05 to compare the arch indices of the two groups. The Average Arch Index of left and right foot for female yoga practitioners (Mright = 6.260 and Mleft = 6.181) is lower than the score (Mright = 6.573 and Mleft = 6.621) for non-yoga practitioners. Thus, the statistical analysis revealed that there exist significant differences between the arch indexes of women in both groups. Female yoga practitioners have lower arch indices than non-yoga practitioners, which does not necessarily mean that they also have pes planus problems. The study suggests that practising yoga regularly may help to lower the risk of flat feet.