Association of Foot Posture and Dynamic Balance in University Football Players

Background: Foot posture may influence lower-limb biomechanics, proprioceptive control, and postural stability during sport-specific movements. In football players, dynamic balance is essential for sprinting, cutting, landing, kicking, and rapid directional changes; however, evidence regarding the relationship between foot posture and dynamic balance among university football players remains limited. Objective: To determine the association between foot posture and dynamic balance among university football players. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 152 university football players recruited through convenience sampling. Participants with recent lower-limb injury or surgery, neuromuscular disease, vestibular or balance disorders, neurological illness, recent concussion, or any condition affecting balance were excluded. Foot posture was assessed using the Foot Posture Index, and dynamic balance was assessed using the Y-Balance Test composite score. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27, and Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the association between Foot Posture Index and Y-Balance Test performance. Results: The mean age was 25.97 ± 4.97 years. Normal foot posture was observed in 87 participants (57.2%), supinated posture in 55 (36.2%), and pronated posture in 10 (6.6%). The mean Y-Balance Test composite score was 97.12 ± 7.36. Foot Posture Index showed a strong negative correlation with Y-Balance Test score (rₛ = -0.715, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Foot posture was significantly associated with dynamic balance among university football players. These findings support the inclusion of foot posture assessment in sports screening and preventive rehabilitation, although causal interpretation is limited by the cross-sectional design