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Arch Height Index Measurement System

Establishment of Reliability and Normative Values

Robert J. Butler, PhD, SPT ^*, Howard Hillstrom, PhD , Jinsup Song, DPM, PhD , Christine J. Richards, MS  and Irene S. Davis, PhD, PT 

^* Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Butler is now with the Department of Physical Therapy, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN.
Gait Study Center, Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Hillstrom is now with Leon Root, MD Motion Analysis Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY.
Osteotech Inc, Eastontown, NJ.
Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, Hummelstown, PA. Dr. Davis is now with Department of Physical Therapy, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.

Corresponding author: Robert J. Butler, PhD, SPT, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47722 (E-mail: rb83{at}evansville.edu)

Abstract

Background: The purposes of this study were 1) to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the arch height index measurement system device, 2) to establish population normative values for the arch height index in recreational runners, and 3) to compare arch height index values between the right and left feet and between genders.

Methods: Eleven subjects were used to establish intrarater and interrater reliability of the arch height index measurement system. This system was then used to measure the arch height index of 100 recreational runners.

Results: Measurements taken with the arch height index measurement system device exhibited high intrarater and interrater reliability. The mean ± SD arch height index of the recreational runners was 0.340 ± 0.030. Men had larger feet than women, but the arch height index between genders was similar.

Conclusions: The arch height index measurement system device is reliable to use between testers while simplifying the measurement procedure for recording the arch height index. The arch height index may be helpful in identifying potential structural factors that predispose individuals to lower-extremity injuries. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 98(2): 102–106, 2008)