To Determine the Relationship between Foot Pronation and Dynamic Balance in Female Kathak Dancers - An Observational Study

Mansi Gandhi, Amit Navani

Abstract: Background: The normal stance position of Kathak dancers during the performance consists of overly turning out the feet, putting an additional strain on the inner side of the foot. 90% of kathak dancers exhibit a functional hyperpronated foot as a result. Dynamic balance is necessary for dancers to perform. The dancer's balance may change if their feet pronate. Purpose And Context: This study sought to determine the relationship between female kathak dancers' foot pronation and dynamic balance. Methodology: 116 female kathak dancers of age 18-35 years practicing kathak since the last 5 years or more were taken as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. Foot pronation was taken according to the foot posture index. Dynamic balance was taken by the Y-Balance test. A correlation between both the variables was found. Result: Pearson’s correlation test was used to interpret the data. The study shows a moderate negative correlation between foot posture index and Y-balance test of dominant leg with r value of -0.636 at 0.001 level significance and for non-dominant leg with r value of -0.629 at 0.01 level significance. Conclusion: The study accepts alternative hypotheses and proves that there is a moderate negative correlation between foot posture index and dynamic balance.

Keywords: dynamic balance, foot pronation, kathak dancers