Assessment of the association between foot arch profiles and single-leg dynamic postural control in male soccer players

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Postural control is a fundamental skill that emerges from the interaction between the central nervous system and sensorimotor structures. It enables the maintenance of body balance and plays a critical role in both athletic performance and injury risk, particularly in sports such as soccer, where unilateral loading patterns are common. Despite the application of various assessment approaches, including static and non-task-specific methods, their effectiveness in reflecting postural control under dynamic and limb-specific conditions remains a matter of practical interest. In this context, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between foot arch profiles and single-leg dynamic postural control in soccer players. Materials and Methods. A total of 48 male university-level soccer players participated in the study. Participants were classified into three groups (high, normal, and low arch profiles) based on plantar pressure measurements. Single-leg dynamic postural control was assessed using a balance platform. Directional postural sway and the percentage of time spent within the target zone were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with post hoc comparisons. Results. The findings revealed that foot arch structure significantly influences postural control. Athletes with normal arch profiles demonstrated superior balance performance, maintaining their position within the target zone for longer durations (90.75 ± 2.30%) compared with the high arch (71.69 ± 3.95%) and low arch groups (77.31 ± 2.87%) (p < 0.0001). In contrast, the high arch group exhibited a more rigid and asymmetrical control strategy, with reduced right-directed sway (42.00 ± 2.42%) and increased left-directed sway (58.00 ± 2.42%). The low arch group showed increased anterior sway (57.88 ± 2.00%) compared with the normal (49.06 ± 0.85%) and high arch groups (47.63 ± 1.59%) (p < 0.0001). These differences were associated with large effect sizes (η² = 0.81–0.90), indicating strong group effects. Conclusions. Foot arch morphology plays a significant role in the organization of postural control strategies. A normal arch structure appears to provide advantages in terms of mechanical stability and sensory feedback. High and low arch profiles lead to distinct balance strategies. The use of a dynamic single-leg assessment provides a more task-specific perspective on postural control in soccer players. These findings suggest that evaluating foot arch structure and implementing individualized training programs may contribute to performance optimization and injury risk reduction in athletes.