PREVALENCE OF PODIATRIC CONDITIONS IN SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES: THE CZECH REPUBLIC WINTER GAMES FIT FEET SCREENING
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2017 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | 8th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology, 2017, Opatija, Croatia |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Sport and leisure time activities |
| Keywords | Foot deformities; Gait; Intellectual disabilities; Skiers |
| Description | Purpose: Podiatric conditions are frequently seen in persons with intellectual disabilities. However, the number of studies focusing on this topic is limited. Therefore the aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of selected podiatric conditions among athletes with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic and to discuss these results with findings of USA athletes and international participants of Summer Special Olympic Games in Athens. Methods: The Fit Feet screening findings of the Czech Republic Winter Games participants (n=46) were used for the analysis. The screening followed the standardized Fit Feet protocol. Results: The prevalence of selected structural and gait conditions in our study population of Special Olympics skiers was similar to the findings of USA and international studies. The most common podiatric conditions found in this study included short Achilles tendon (56.52%), pes planus (36.96%), abducted gait (23.91%), restricted ankle joint range of motion (21.74%), pes cavus (17.39%), hallux abducto valgus (15.22%) and over-pronated gait (13.04%). Conclusions: The high prevalence of selected podiatric conditions highlights the need for foot care promotion and prevention education among the athletes with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, a greater knowledge of the podiatric findings prevalence in population with intellectual disabilities may provide for clinicians a more efficient management of their foot pathologies. |