Comparison of plantar pressure distribution and static balance of Volleyball boys in the stance phase of walking

The difference in the force distribution of plantar muscles in the landing stage in volleyball players is an important factor in the lack of balance control and the occurrence of injuries. The aim of this study was to Comparison of plantar pressure and static balance of volleyball boys in the stance phase of walking.

The current research was semi-experimental and descriptive-cross-sectional. For this purpose, 64 healthy male volleyball players were purposefully divided into 3 age groups; Infants (n=22), teenagers (n=24) and young adults (n=18). Training was considered at least 3 days a week. A foot pressure device was used to determine the pressure distribution of the plantar muscles on the way back and forth. To compare the foot contact surface and the impulse of the front and rear parts of the right and left foot between the groups, the independent t test and multivariate analysis of variance at the alpha level of 0.05 were used to check the distribution of the center of pressure.

Multivariate variance analysis for the comparison of the contact surface (front and rear foot) in the right foot (P = 0.423) and left foot (P = 0.706) did not show any significant difference between the three groups of infants, teenagers and young adults. The results of multivariate analysis of variance for the comparison of impulse (front foot and back foot) in the right and left foot between the three groups of infants, teenagers and young people did not have any significant difference (P = 0.496). Comparing the center of pressure in internal to external and anterior to posterior sections, there was no significant difference between the three groups of infants, teenagers and young adults (P = 0.062). But there was a significant decrease in the duration of stability in the internal to external part in the group of infants and teenagers (P = 0.012) and in the group of young people (P = 0.023). However, there was no significant difference in the duration of stability in the anterior to posterior part in any of the groups (P = 0.768).

According to the possible results, reducing the contact of the front and back parts of the right and left feet by reducing the duration of stability weakens the static balance in volleyball players and increases the possibility of injury in the lower limbs.