Martinez-Sebastian Carlos, Evans Angela M F, Ramos-Petersen Laura, Molina-Garcia Cristina, Gómez-Carrión Álvaro, Gijon-Nogueron Gabriel
Nursing and Podiatry, Universidad de Malaga Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Malaga, Spain.
Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2025 Jul;61(7):1095-1101. doi: 10.1111/jpc.70084. Epub 2025 May 10.
Previous studies have investigated flattened foot arches associated with joint hypermobility using the Beighton scale. The absence of lower limb items below the knee in the Beighton scale questions the relevance of this relationship. Addressing this query, a new validated test has been used to assess joint hypermobility, the Foot and Ankle Flexibility Index (FAFI). Utilising the FAFI, the intention was then to relate it against known reliable morphofunctional foot and ankle tests, and also a validated paediatric physical activity test.
A total of 205 healthy children, aged 5 to 10 years, participated in this cross-sectional study, which included the Lunge Test, Rest Calcaneal Stance Position (RCSP), Foot Posture Index (FPI) and 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT).
Significant correlations were found between FAFI and the test variables: RCSP (r = 0.334), Age (r = -0.254), FPI (r = 0.252), and 6MWT (r = -0.240). The multivariable linear regression of the hypermobility component according to FAFI presented an R value of 24.9%.
This study suggests that younger children and those with greater foot and ankle hypermobility have a more pronated foot stance, a greater range of ankle dorsiflexion, and a decreased walking speed/distance. Given the public health implications of unnecessary attention to many paediatric flatfeet presentations, these findings increase clinical clarity, using the new and validated FAFI.
以往的研究使用贝ighton量表调查了与关节活动过度相关的扁平足弓。贝ighton量表中缺乏膝以下下肢项目，这质疑了这种关系的相关性。为了解决这个问题，一种新的经过验证的测试方法——足踝灵活性指数（FAFI）被用于评估关节活动过度。然后，利用FAFI，将其与已知可靠的足踝形态功能测试以及一项经过验证的儿童身体活动测试进行关联。
共有205名5至10岁的健康儿童参与了这项横断面研究，该研究包括弓步试验、静息跟骨站立位（RCSP）、足姿势指数（FPI）和6分钟步行试验（6MWT）。
发现FAFI与测试变量之间存在显著相关性：RCSP（r = 0.334）、年龄（r = -0.254）、FPI（r = 0.252）和6MWT（r = -0.240）。根据FAFI对活动过度成分进行的多变量线性回归显示R值为24.9%。
本研究表明，年龄较小的儿童以及足踝活动过度程度较高的儿童，其足部姿势更内翻，踝关节背屈范围更大，步行速度/距离降低。鉴于对许多小儿扁平足表现进行不必要关注对公共卫生的影响，这些发现使用新的经过验证的FAFI提高了临床清晰度。
