Influence of feet position on static postural assessment by means of photogrammetry: a comparative study

Objectives: To identify if different feet positions may produce distinct results on postural assessment and if a less uncomfortable feet position for static postural assessment exists. Methods: The sample consisted of 24 healthy adults of both sexes submitted to postural assessment by means of photogrammetry in frontal and sagittal planes in the following feet positions: self-referred, standardised self-referred, parallel apart and parallel together. The subjects indicated on the Modified Schechter Scale the subjective discomfort sensation 'perceived in each position'. DIPA(C) (Digital Image-based Postural Assessment) software was used for posture evaluation. Repeated measures ANOVAs compared 12 postural variables and the discomfort score (p < .05). Results: The results demonstrated no significant differences between the postural variables for the four feet positions. The self-referred and standardised self-referred feet positions presented the lowest subjective sensation of discomfort. Conclusions: The positions of the feet analysed in this study do not interfere with the results of the postural assessment.