Comparison of Calcaneal Eversion, Gastrocnemius Extensibility and Angle of Toe-Out between Normal and Overweight Females

Background: Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. An increase in body weight is considered to cause overload of the foot, which represents the interface between the body and ground. This can induce various stress and strains during walking that can predispose to overuse injuries of the lower limb. Purpose: To compare and correlate the effect of weight on calcaneal eversion, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toe-out. Method: Forty females with a mean age of 24.3 years were divided into 2 groups according to their body mass index (BMI). Group A (n = 20, BMI = 19 – 24) and Group B (n=20, BMI = 25 – 29). Measurements for calcaneal eversion were obtained in double limb and single limb stance, whilst gastrocnemius extensibility was obtained in a prone position. The angle of toe-out was obtained during walking. Result: There was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the two groups for double limb stance, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toe-out. No significant difference (p>0.05) was noted for single limb stance. Conclusion: The angle of calcaneal eversion and angle of toe-out are greater in overweight individuals, whilst gastrocnemius extensibility is greater in normal subjects.

besity is a major worldwide health problem where the body weight is more than 20% of the ideal.
There are many long-term debilitating effects of obesity that may impair quality of life.These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.
Of these musculoskeletal disorders, foot problems in obese adults are most important.This may be due to the increased stress placed on the feet through the need to bear excessive mass. 1 Foot problems are frequent because the interface between body and ground is subjected to high stresses and load. 2 The foot provides a stable support for the body, attenuates impact and rotational forces, provides sensory information 3 , and combines flexibility and stability for propulsion of body. 4,5e rearfoot acts as the central mechanism and a major weight bearing structure during stance. 6owever, excessive pronation has been linked with injuries due muscle imbalance which disrupt normal lower limb alignment.This malalignment is thought to place undue stress and strain on the joints, ligaments and muscles. 7e of the common muscle imbalances that affect the ankle joint is a tight gastrocnemius-soleus 5 These muscles use 85% of their voluntary contraction during normal walking to help restrain the body's forward momentum by working eccentrically and concentrically. 8

Purpose of the Study
To compare the effect of weight on calcaneal eversion, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toeout.A further aim was to establish the correlation between calcaneal eversion, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toe-out.

Hypothesis
There will be an effect of weight on calcaneal eversion, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toeout.

Methodology
Subjects: Female students of SBSPGI, Balawala, Dehradun took part in the study.All data were collected at the Research Laboratory, Department of Physiotherapy, SBSPGI, Dehradun.Forty female subjects with a mean age of 21.1 ± 1.0 years were divided into 2 groups based on their Body Mass Index (BMI).Twenty females with a mean age of 21.8 ± 1.8 years with BMI = 19 -24 were assigned to Group A (normal).A further twenty females with a mean age of 20.5 ± 1.6 with BMI = 25 -29 were assigned to Group B (overweight).
Table 1 shows the subjects information.None of the subjects had a history of congenital deformity, ligament injury, other soft tissue injury, fracture, pain, limb length discrepancy at least 6 months prior to the *Measurements were taken for double limb stance (DLS), single limb stance (SLS), angle of turn out (ATO) and gastrocnemius extensibility (GE).Two measurements were taken and the average was calculated.

Measurement of Calcaneal Eversion
Subtalar joint eversion was determined with subjects positioned prone with lower half of calf off the edge of plinth.Sliding calipers were used to identify mid points on the calf and calcaneus and lines were drawn along the midlines on the posterior third of calf and calcaneus.Range of eversion was measured using a goniometer.The axis of standard goniometer was placed between the malleoli in the frontal plane.The stationery arm of goniometer was placed over the line on the posterior region of the calf and the movable arm was placed over the line on posterior calf.
start of the study.Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects prior to participation.The calcaneus was passively everted to obtain subtalar joint range of motion (ROM).This method of approach has shown good intrarater reliability with Elveru, et al., reporting intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.75 for calcaneal eversion. 11This measurement was repeated in double limb stance and single limb stance. 2

Measurement of Gastrocnemius Extensibility
The subject was positioned in prone position and a marker was used for marking the fibular head, lateral malleolus, base of 5 th metatarsal tuberosity and 5 th metatarsal head.The stationary arm of the goniometer was placed along the long axis of fibula by using the mark on the fibular head and the lateral malleolus.The moving arm of the goniometer was then placed parallel to the lateral border of the foot by using the marks on the base and head of 5 th metatarsal.The axis of the goniometer was kept on the lateral border of the foot.The zero position of dorsiflexion was defined as 90 0 between the long axis of fibula and the lateral border of the foot.All measurements were recorded as the subjects achieved maximum dorsiflexion. 12,13asurement of Angle of Toe-Out A 3-meter walkway was created using crepe paper.A chair was placed at the end of walkway to provide orientation during the ambulation trail.Water-soluble ink was applied to the plantar surface of the right foot.
The subject was instructed to walk along the walkway.
If they hesitated or no imprint was obtained, the trail was repeated.From the second footprint, three consecutive footprints were evaluated for angle of toe-out.The line parallel to the edge of paper represented the line of progression.The longitudinal axis of footprint was determined as the line drawn from bisecting the widest part of heel through the center of 2 nd toe.The angle between line of progression and longitudinal foot axis presented the angle of toe-out.The average of all 3 right foot prints was calculated. 14

Data Analysis
The significance level selected was 0.05.An independent t-test was performed for comparing calcaneal eversion, gastrocnemius extensibility and angle of toe-out between Group A (normal) and Group B (overweight).A Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to establish the association between the variables within Group A and B.

Correlation between variables:
For Group A (Normal): The DLS and SLS showed a positive correlation (r = 0.65).DLS and GE have a weak positive correlation (r = 0.22).SLS and GE share a positive correlation (r = 0.44).SLS and ATO have a weak positive correlation (r = 0.11) Table 3 shows the correlation between the variables in Group A and B.

Discussion
The significant difference for the double limb stance for Group A and Group B can be due to the extra load through arches of the foot.Schiew and Andrew (2000) suggested a link between higher body mass and flattening of the arches. 15Moreover, Hall and Broody (1999) also concluded that obesity has an excessive pronatory effect. 16The results showed no significant difference between the two Groups in SLS.These findings are in contrast to Steven, et al., (2004) who suggested that obesity can contribute to excessive pronation and foot pain. 7cording to the results, GE is less in the overweight, this could be due to the subjects presenting with excessive pronation, which causes shortening of the tendo-Achilles (Harris and Beath,1948) and instability at the subtalar and midtarsal joints. 17Overweight subjects showed greater ATO which is supported by Charette (2002) as they have an increased foot flare during walking. 18 Kendall (1993) concluded that in the weight bearing position, there is flatness of longitudinal arch, which is usually accompanied by out-toeing. 19ere is a positive correlation between SLS, calcaneal eversion and GE in normal subjects, but a negative correlation in overweight subjects.This may be because there is a greater calcaneal eversion in subjects who are overweight, which can lead to less active ROM of ankle dorsiflexion.According to Charrete (2002), excessive pronation is due to tight a tight tendo-Achilles (as stated above) or gastro-soleal equinus. 18Coetzee (2004) also concluded that the tight Achilles can cause eversion of the calcaneus. 7he compensation for reduced ankle dorsiflexion takes place at the subtalar and midtarsal joints in the form of excessive pronation. 20The results reported showed a weak positive correlation between GE and the angle of toe-out in normal subjects and a negative correlation in the overweight subjects.Magee (2002)  concluded that toe-out may present due to contracture of the gastrocnemius and soleus. 8ere is a very weak negative correlation between SLS, calcaneal eversion and AOT.The same result has also been proved by Kernozek (1990), but is contrary to Lapidus who stated that individuals with abducted foot tend to pronate more. 21Chang, et al., (2004) concluded that increased out-toeing increases pressure on the medial foot and provides mechanical force directed at the valgus foot.The intoeing gait unloads the medial foot and increases the severity of the varus foot. 22e hypothesis proves that increased weight has an effect on calcaneal eversion, angle of toe-out and gastrocnemius extensibility.This is because extra weight puts stress on the foot causing flattening of the arches Kapandji (1985).Severely obese females have significantly greater rearfoot motion and foot angle values than normal weight females 23 which can lead to certain dysmorphism of foot specially flat foot. 15e differences found between weight bearing and non-weight bearing could be the result of gravitational and ground reaction forces imparted to foot which causes excessive pronation leading to Tendo Achilles shortening.Kendall (1993) concluded that in a weight bearing position, there is flatness of longitudinal arch that is usually accompanied by out toeing (i.e.increased ATO). 19An out toe position was found in subjects with a tight gastrocnemius.This result is found in overweight because toeing out in walking may result from tightness of tendo Achilles. 19his is likely to place strain on structures associated with the longitudinal arch as weight is transferred from heels to toes.

Graph 1
Comparison of variables between Group A and B. (mean values presented in degrees; DLS: Double Limb Stance, SLS: Single Limb Stance; GE: Gastrocnemius Extensibility; ATO: Angle of Toe-Out) For Group B (overweight): The DLS and SLS have a positive correlation (r = 0.47).DLS and GE have a very weak positive correlation (r = 0.02).SLS and GE have weak negative correlation (r = -0.05).SLS and ATO have very weak negative correlation (r = -.004).While GE and ATO have negative correlation (r = -0 .26)

Table 3
Correlation between variables of Groups A and B. (DLS: Double Limb Stance, SLS: Single Limb Stance; GE: Gastrocnemius Extensibility; ATO: Angle of Toe-Out) with the mean for Group A and B at 11.1° ± 1.1° and the mean for Group A and B at 11.1° ± 1.1° and 11.8° ± 3.0° respectively ( graph 1, table 2 ) © The Foot and Ankle Online Journal, 2009

13 © The Foot and Ankle Online Journal, 2009 Conclusion Calcaneal
Eversion and Angle of Toe Out are more in Overweight whereas Gastrocnemius Extensibility is less in Overweight when compared with Normal subjects.A positive correlation has been found between Double Limb Stance and Single Limb Stance, Double Limb Stance and Gastrocnemius Extensibility, Single Limb Stance and Gastrocnemius Extensibility, Gastrocnemius Extensibility and Angle of Toe Out and a negative correlation between Single Limb Stance and Angle of Toe-Out in Group A. There is a positive correlation between Double Limb Stance and Single Limb Stance, Double Limb Stance and Gastrocnemius Extensibility and a negative correlation between Single Limb Stance and Gastrocnemius Extensibility, Gastrocnemius Extensibility and Angle of Toe-Out, Single Limb Stance and Angle of Toe-Out in Group B.