Articles Vol. 66 No. CĐ15-HNKH Trường Đại học Võ Trường Toản 09/01/2026

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FOOT ARCH AND OCCUPATIONAL FACTORS IN LECTURERS OF HO CHI MINH CITY UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION

Nguyen Thi Anh Thy1,2, Hoang Ngoc Tuyet Trinh1,2
1 Hong Bang International University
2 Trường Đại học Quốc tế Hồng Bàng
DOI: 10.52163/yhc.v66iCD15.4129
17 Views
7 Downloads
Keywords
Ankles, foot pain, lecturers, foot function, risk factors.
Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the foot health, focusing on the arch index and its relation to teaching hours.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 70 university lecturers which were collected plantar footprint and FADI surveys grouped by annual teaching hours. Foot function was assessed by Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), and self-reported frequency of foot problems. Arch index was classified from static (non-weight-bearing) and dynamic (weight-bearing) footprints.

Results: A total of 78.6% of lecturers reported foot problems, mainly in the ankle and heel. Median FADI scores in foot problems domain were lower than counter part. The arch index significantly increased under load (p < 0.001). At rest, about 50% of feet were classified as normal arch, 30% as high arch, and 20% as low arch. Under load, the prevalence of flat feet rose to 50-60%, while high arches decreased to around 10%.

Conclusion: Foot problems are highly prevalent among lecturers, especially in the ankle and heel, and are associated with reduced FADI scores. Weight-bearing caused significant arch flattening and increased plantar contact area. 

References
[1]
Andreo‐García M.V, Navarro‐Flores E et al. Influence of quality of life related to perceived foot health between in a rural an urban population: A case-control research. Int Wound J., 2024, 21 (2): e14713. Google Scholar
[2]
Tahernejad S, Hejazi A, Rezaei E et al. Musculoskeletal disorders among teachers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Public Health, 2024, 12: 1399552. Google Scholar
[3]
Kempfert D.J, Mitchell K et al. Medial longitudinal arch variations and extrinsic foot muscle elasticity: Analysis of mobile, neutral, and rigid arch mobilities. Clin Biomech (Bristol), 2025, 124: 106505. Google Scholar
[4]
Cavanagh P.R, Rodgers M.M. The arch index: a useful measure from footprints. J. Biomech, 1987, 20 (5): 547-551. Google Scholar
[5]
Hale S.A, Hertel J. Reliability and sensitivity of the foot and ankle disability index in subjects with chronic ankle instability. J Athl Train, 2005, 40 (1): 35-40. Google Scholar
[6]
Alqahtani T.A. The prevalence of foot pain and its associated factors among Saudi school teachers in Abha sector, Saudi Arabia. J Family Med Prim Care, 2020, 9 (9): 4641-4647. Google Scholar
[7]
Iqbal K, Qadeer R et al. The ankle and foot health status in primary school teachers (cross-sectional study). Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Research, 2024, 4 (1): 261-265. Google Scholar
[8]
Trần Thị Diệp, Huỳnh Văn Phát. Khảo sát cung vòm bàn chân của sinh viên vật lý trị liệu - phục hồi chức năng Trường Đại học Quốc tế Hồng Bàng năm 2020. Tạp chí Y học Việt Nam, 2022, 513 (2): 184-188. Google Scholar