Development of a New Shoe Fitting for Obese Adults

Background: Standard fit as well as wide-fit footwear not currently being pertinent and comfortable for the obese adults. The biometric measurements of obese foot (such as foot length, foot width, heel girth, instep girth, waist girth, and ball girth,) significantly differ from healthy adults. Aim: This study aims to develop a new shoe fitting for obese adults based on significant relationships among the relevant biometric parameters of the foot. Method: These measurements of obese foot were determined using a Brannock device and measuring tape. All kinds of foot girth measurements were analyzed against scaling based on foot width or current fitting, BMI, foot length, heel girth, instep girth, waist girth and ball girth and compared these data with ANOVA. Result: Results showed that responses of all kinds of girths against waist girth scaling provide best fitting prospects of obese adults than current standard fit as well as other parameters. Conclusion: From the study and results, it can be concluded that shoe fitting based on waist girth can give more precise comfort and improve the ergonomic fitness of the product for obese users. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 21(1) 2022 Page : 45-53

Relationship of Selected Anthropometric and Linear Kinematical Variables with the Performance of Toe-Touch Skill in Kabaddi

The purpose of this study was to find out the relationship of selected anthropometric and linear kinematical variables with the performance of toe-touch skill among male kabaddi players (raiders). Materials and Methods. One hundred male raiders were selected for this study. The age of the subjects ranged between 18 to 25 years. Selected anthropometric variables: foot length, upper leg length, lower leg length, thigh girth and calf girth were measured by standardized equipment. Selected linear kinematical variables were measured by digital software ‘Kinovea version-0.9.3’. The toe-touch skill performed by raiders was assessed by three experts rating. The inter-rater reliability of the scores awarded by the experts to the subjects was tested by Cohen’s Kappa test and Kappa coefficient was found significant. Results. Spearman’s rank correlation revealed that there was significant correlation in case of thigh girth (rs = 0.230, p = 0.022), distance (rs = 0.245, p = 0.014) and center of gravity (rs = -0.270, p = 0.007) variables, and there was not significant correlation in case of upper leg length (rs = 0.048, p = 0.634), lower leg length (rs = -0.90, p = 0.373), calf girth (rs = 0.093, p = 0.355), foot length (rs = -0.17, p = 0.863) and time (rs = -0.006, p = 0.952) variables with the performance of toe-touch skill in kabaddi. Conclusion. The study concludes that thigh girth and distance positively and center of gravity negatively contributes to the performance of toe-touch skill in male kabaddi players.

Foot length as a surrogate maker to identify birth weight

Background: Gestational age and birth weight is an important predicator for morbidity and mortality in neonates. Aim was to determine the correlation of foot length with birth weight and gestational age in neonates.Methods: This was a prospective observational study done in the neonatal unit department of pediatrics in Chirayu medical college and hospital, Bhopal. There were 1739 deliveries included during the study period from January 2016 to December 2020. Study group comprised of all live born babies delivered in within 24 hours of birth who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.Results: The study comprised of 1739 newborn babies, out of which 896 (51.51%) were males and 843 (48.49%) were females. Male:female ratio 1.06:1. In our study group, 337 (15.6%) babies were preterm and 1385 (84.39%) were of term gestation. We found a positive linear correlation of foot length with all birth weight groups in a newborn with a correlation coefficient (r=0.78) and p<0.001 was found. Similarly, a positive correlation of foot length and gestational age of newborn in both term and preterm babies with (r=0.83) with p<0.01. Foot length has 87.4% sensitivity and 91.7% specificity among low-birth-weight babies with respect to cut off foot length of 75.5 mm. Foot length has 78.7% sensitivity and 63.7% specificity among preterm babies.Conclusions: Foot length can be used as a screening tool to identify low birth weight (LBW) and preterm babies as it had a higher sensitivity and specificity.

Nghiên cứu tương quan của chiều dài bàn chân với chỉ số nhân trắc và tuổi thai theo Ballard mới ở trẻ sơ sinh

TÓM TẮT Đặt vấn đề: Thời kỳ sơ sinh là thời kỳ dễ tổn thương nhất trong cuộc đời. Đối với những trẻ sơ sinh sinh ra với một tình trạng bệnh lý nặng hoặc cần chăm sóc đặc biệt ngay thì việc xác định các yếu tố trưởng thành về thể chất và thần kinh để đánh giá tuổi thai hay các chỉ số nhân trắc học là khá khó khăn. Nghiên cứu nhằm mô tả chiều dài bàn chân, các chỉ số nhân trắc học và tìm hiểu mối tương quan giữa chiều dài bàn chân với các chỉ số nhân trắc và tuổi thai theo Ballard mới ở trẻ sơ sinh. Phương pháp: 240 trẻ sơ sinh được nhập viện và sống trong vòng 24 giờ đầu sau sinh tại Trung tâm Nhi khoa Bệnh viện Trung ương Huế và Bệnh viện Trường Đại học Y Dược Huế, thời gian nghiên cứu từ tháng 4/2019 đến tháng 1/2021. Thiết kế nghiên cứu mô tả cắt ngang. Kết quả: Giá trị trung bình và độ lệch chuẩn của chiều dài bàn chân là 76,4 ± 7,7 mm. Có mối tương quan thuận mức độ rất chặt giữa chiều dài bàn chân với tuổi thai (r = 0,927), cân nặng (r = 0,898), chiều dài (r = 0,891), vòng đầu (r = 0,851) và vòng ngực (r = 0,793). Điểm cắt chiều dài bàn chân ≤ 77,2 mm có độ nhạy (88,4%) và độ đặc hiệu (96,1%) để tiên đoán trẻ sơ sinh non tháng. Điểm cắt chiều dài bàn chân ≤ 73,1 mm có độ nhạy (95,4%) và độ đặc hiệu (90,9%) để tiên đoán trẻ sơ sinh cân nặng thấp. Kết luận: Chiều dài bàn chân có tương quan thuận rất chặt với tuổi thai, cân nặng, chiều dài, vòng đầu, vòng ngực. Đồng thời chiều dài bàn chân có độ nhạy và độ đặc hiệu cao trong tiên đoán trẻ sơ sinh non tháng hoặc có cân nặng thấp, đây là một chỉ số đáng tin cậy ở những nơi còn thiếu nhân lực và trang thiết bị như cân nặng, siêu âm. ABSTRACT CORRELATION OF FOOT LENGTH AND ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND GESTATIONAL AGE OF NEWBORN BY NEW BALLARD SCORE Background: Neonatal period is the most vulnerable period of life. For neonates born with a serious medical condition or who need immediate intensive care, determining physical and neurological maturation factors to assess gestational age or anthropometric indices is quite difficult. Therefore, determining the correlation of foot length with anthropometric indices and gestational age according to Ballard score, is a priority in the research. This study describes the foot length, some anthropometric parameters; and study the correlation between foot length and some anthropometric parameters and gestational age of newborn by new Ballard score. Methods: A survey was conducted with 240 neonatal in the first 24 hours at The Pediatric Center in Hue Central Hospital and Hue University Hospital of Medicine and Pharmacy from 4/2019 to 1/2021. Results: The Mean ± SD at birth for Foot Length (FL) was 76.4 ± 7.7 mm. The difference in FL between males and females was not statistically significant. We observed a significant correlation between FL and other anthropometric variables namely GA (r = 0.927), BW (r = 0.898), HC (r = 0.851), CC (r = 0.793) and length (r = 0.891). Using Receiver Operative Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, we found that FL ≤ 73.1 mm had 95.4% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity in identifying LBW babies. FL ≤ 77.2 mm had 88.4% sensitivity and 96.1% specificity for identifying preterm babies. Conclusions: We observed a significant correlation between foot length and other variables, namely birth weight, gestational age, head circumference, chest circumference, and length. Foot length had a high sensitivity and specificity in identifying LBW and Preterm babies, making it a reliable variable in the rural setup where weighing facilities, ultrasound, and trained personnel are not available.

A study of correlation of foot length and new Ballard score in determining the gestational age of newborns

Background: Gestational age (GA) estimation plays a vital role in obstetric, perinatal and neonatal care. Foot length (FL) measurement can serve as a simple, easy and cost effective parameter for estimating GA. The aim of this study was to determine correlation between foot length of new born and GA by new Ballard score and forming a percentile chart if a positive correlation was found.Methods: GA assessment of newborns born in our hospital was done by new Ballard score within 24 hours of life. FL was measured using vernier caliper. Neonates were classified as pre term, term and post term and also grouped as small for GA (SGA), appropriate for GA (AGA) and large for GA (LGA).Results: FL measurement was strongly correlating with GA assessment by new Ballard score, with overall correlation coefficient r=0.897 (p<0.001). FL increased as GA increased. Strong positive correlation was seen in pre term and term newborns. The cut-off foot lengths for identifying preterm and early preterm neonates were 73.14 mm (diagnostic accuracy 88.4%) and 68.49 mm (diagnostic accuracy 95.3%), respectively.Conclusions: Strong positive correlation of foot length with GA by new Ballard score was obtained and a percentile chart of foot length for each GA was formed, with mean and standard deviation. This can serve as a simple and quick tool, requiring less expertise for GA assessment.

The Impact of Kinesiology Taping on a Greek Foot with a Hammertoe—A Case Report

Background and Objectives: Hammertoe, one of the most common toe deformities, causes pain due to overloading of the periarticular tissues and skin lesions. Additionally, it results in problems with footwear choice, an unattractive foot appearance and a deterioration in quality of life. The most common treatment for rigid and advanced deformities is surgery, and these procedures are widely described in literature. If the changes in the interphalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints are flexible (that mean they undergo correction without causing pain) or surgery is not possible, conservative treatment should be considered. No research, however, has been found detailing this treatment method. Conservative treatment includes the Kinesiology Taping (KT) method, which involves applying taping to correct deformities. This report describes the effect of KT treatment in a female patient with hammertoes. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric foot measurements (3D scanner) and foot loadings (baropodometric platform) are presented before KT applying, immediately after tapes application and after tapes removal following one month of use. Results: After using KT application parameters such as: foot length, maximum foot load, load under the area of the metatarsals II-III changed. Conclusion: Kinesiology Taping seems to be a symptomatic form of treatment of the effects of lesser toes deformity, therefore it is a good alternative for patients who do not want or cannot undergo surgery.

Does the Nonweightbearing Foot Position Replicate the Neutral Calcaneal Stance Position in an Adult Population?

Background The neutral calcaneal stance position (NCSP), despite its known issues, is currently used as an “ideal” measure compared with the resting stance position in clinical podiatric medicine. The nonweightbearing (NWB) foot position, as used in the foot mobility magnitude (FMM), can provide an alternative comparative position, which is partially validated, if a significant correlation between the NCSP and the NWB position exists. This study aimed to establish the correlation between the component measures of the FMM in the NCSP and the NWB foot position of the FMM. Methods Eighty participants were recruited. Measures of dorsal arch height (DAH) and midfoot width (MFW) were obtained at the 50% total foot length mark in the NCSP and the NWB position by two examiners using the apparatus described by McPoil et al. Results Reliability analysis with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated intrarater results of 0.90 to 0.99 for DAH and 0.96 to 0.99 for MFW and interrater results of 0.90 for DAH and 0.96 for MFW in the NWB position. Using a Pearson product moment correlation coefficient analysis, there was a significant correlation between the NCSP and the NWB position for DAH (r = 0.82) and MFW (r = 0.86). Conclusions A significant correlation between the NCSP and the NWB position was evident when the measures of DAH and MFW were conducted. Therefore, clinically, the NWB position can potentially replace the NCSP as the ideal position for clinical treatment.

Association between ocular axial length and anthropometrics of Asian adults

Objective The purpose of this study is to analyze axial length, body height, hand length, and foot length to find new factors that predict myopia and to identify gender differences as one of the factors of high myopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted as a single observation. Body height, hand length, and foot length were measured according to standard anthropometric methods. Axial length, retinal thickness, and choroidal thickness were measured using the IOL Master 700 and the Heidelberg Spectralis-OCT. To account for body height differences among participants, foot length/body height and hand length/body height were analyzed using a mixed-effects model. Results A total of 80 eyes (men, n = 20, 40 eyes; women, n = 20, 40 eyes) were analyzed. The mean age was 33.5 years (range 21–59 years, SD: 9.6). For choroidal thickness, there was a significant association with axial length in men (p < 0.001) and a trend toward an association in women (p = 0.072). There was also a significant association between foot length/body height and axial length in men (p = 0.015), but not in women (p = 0.58). These results suggest that factors that determine body height and foot length may be related to axial length, although they vary by gender.

A new species of the genus Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from eastern India with notes on Indian species

A new species of the genus Microhyla, Microhyla bengalensis sp. nov., described from West Bengal state, India. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: 1) Small in size (SVL= 16.2 mm. in male); 2) truncated snout in dorsal view; 3) head wider than long (HW: HL= 1.36); 4) canthus rostralis and tympanum are indistinct; 5) nostril placed on the dorsal side of the snout; 6) tibiotarsal articulation not reaching the eye; 7) fingers and toes without disc; 8) toe webbing basal; 9) thigh and foot length are equal and smaller than shank; 10) skin tuberculated on dorsum; 11) 'teddy bear' dark brown mark on dorsum; 12) an inverted 'V'-shaped dark brown mark above the vent. A comparative morphological data of all the 14 Indian species of Microhyla is also provided.