INTRODUCTION: The relationship between morphological patterns of feet/knees and balance have been studied through several experimental models. However, there is no consensus about knee morphology influences on balance during bipodal stance. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of morphological types of feet and knees on stabilometric variables of healthy subjects. METHODS: Fifty-three asymptomatic subjects were enrolled in this study (21 [39.6%] male, 26.9 ± 5.2 years, 68.4 ± 17.1 kg, 1.71 ± 0.09 m). Morphologic classification of lower extremity was made through visual inspection by two examiners. Stabilometric protocol was performed (50 seconds) with eyes opened/closed and base opened/closed. Statistical analysis used contingency coefficient to check for association among the morphological findings. Anthropometric and stabilometric variables were analyzed with one-way ANOVA with significant level of p < 0,05. RESULTS: Subjects with genu varus presented lower oscillation velocity compared to physiological genu valgus at protocols with opened eyes (varus: 6.86 ± 3.04 10-2 m/s; physiologic valgus: 11.61 ± 6.36 10-2 m/s; p = 0,009) and closed eyes (varus: 6.92 ± 2.77 10-2 m/s; physiologic valgus: 11.38 ± 5.82 10-2 m/s; p = 0,007), both with closed base. No significant differences among subjects were observed on variables sway area (95th percentile ellipse) and maximum anterior-posterior displacement. CONCLUSION: Feet morphology did not change sway velocity, sway area, or anteroposterior displacement. Reduction of the support base diminished sway velocity in subjects with genu varus.
Posture; Knee; Foot; Musculoskeletal balance
