Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Evaluating the Function of the Foot Core System in the Elderly
Published on: March 11, 2022
Relationship between static foot posture and foot mobility
Mark W Cornwall1, Thomas G McPoil2
1The Laboratory for Foot and Ankle Research, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
Background:
It is not uncommon for a person's foot posture and/or mobility to be assessed during a clinical examination. The exact relationship, however, between static posture and mobility is not known.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of association between static foot posture and mobility.
Method:
The static foot posture and foot mobility of 203 healthy individuals was assessed and then analyzed to determine if low arched or "pronated" feet are more mobile than high arched or "supinated" feet.
Results:
The study demonstrated that those individuals with a lower standing dorsal arch height and/or a wider standing midfoot width had greater mobility in their foot. In addition, those individuals with higher Foot Posture Index (FPI) values demonstrated greater mobility and those with lower FPI values demonstrated less mobility. Finally, the amount of foot mobility that an individual has can be predicted reasonably well using either a 3 or 4 variable linear regression model.
Conclusions:
Because of the relationship between static foot posture and mobility, it is recommended that both be assessed as part of a comprehensive evaluation of a individual with foot problems.
Related Concept Videos
Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles.
Static Friction
For example, consider a scenario where a truck is connected to a car by a rope, ready to tow it along a road. When no external force is applied by the truck, the car remains stationary and is said to be in static equilibrium. In this case, the forces acting on the car, such as gravity and the...
Static Equilibrium - II
Static Equilibrium - I
