Relationship of Arm Length, Foot Length and Dynamic Balance in 9-12 Years Old Children

OBJECTIVE: Dynamic balance (DB) is defined as abilities that are operating during performance of a functional task such as reaching, walking, or running, irrespective of changing support surface (i.e. BOS). Functional Reach Test (FRT), which was developed by Duncan et al. in 1990. FRT is defined as the maximal distance one can reach forward beyond arm’s length while maintaining a fixed Base of Support (BOS) in standing. The outcome measures of dynamic balance (DB) are important elements of examination, which measures correlate with specific age but how anthropometric variables (e.g.: arm length, foot length, height, weight) which might influence balance is still unclear. The influence of arm length, foot length on dynamic balance in children is not well understood. Hence there is a need to investigate the relationship between arm length, foot length on dynamic balance in children. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship of arm length, foot length on dynamic balance in 9-12 years old children. METHODOLOGY: This descriptive study (correlational study) was conducted among 41 children with typical development of age 9-12 years old (50% male and 50% females). Arm length (males 58.6 + 4.0; females 58.7 + 3.6), foot length (males 20.8 + 1.4; females 20.6 + 1.6). Dynamic balance was assessed using FRT, the participants were asked to reach three times and the scores were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The collected data was summarized using the descriptive statistics such mean +S.D. (standard deviation) to find the relationship between the arm length, foot length with dynamic balance in 9-12-years-old children. Pearson correlation coefficient is used, p value <0.05 was considered as significant. The data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 21. RESULTS: The mean distance reached by the children aged 9-12 years old were (males 22.2 + 5.1; females 22.9 + 6.6). The obtained p value for Pearson correlation coefficient is >0.05 and hence there is between arm length, foot length and dynamic balance in children of 9-12 years old. CONCLUSION: Dynamic balance has correlation with arm length and foot length. Hence it suggests that the arm length and foot length does influence the score of dynamic balance on FRT in children. Keywords: Arm length, foot length, dynamic balance, children, 9-12-year-olds