Morphofunctional characteristics of the foot in competitive swimmers [Dataset]

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the articular characteristics of the foot and ankle of two age groups of competitive swimmers (16-18 years and 19-24 years) and their relationship with muscular pain during swimming, mainly in the posterior musculature of the lower limb. Methods: Seventy-four competitive swimmers participated in the study, 38 ‘junior’ (16-18 years) and 36 ‘absolute’ (19-24 years). The following data were recorded: existence of muscular pain in the lower limb during swimming, popliteal angle test, ankle dorsal flexion, rearfoot mobility, dorsal flexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, presence of hallux valgus, foot posture, mobility of the first ray, medial arch height, and plantar pressure. These variables were compared between both age groups. A two-stage cluster analysis was carried out using the silhouette measure of cohesion and separation coefficient, with the aim of finding out the values of the variables that differentiate both groups most. Results: The region where muscular pain appeared most frequently was triceps surae, followed by the plantar musculature and hamstrings, without significant differences between age groups. The most relevant articular finding was that ankle dorsal flexion was limited in both age groups, more in adult swimmers (P < 0.001 with knee extended and P < 0.014 with knee flexed). High-arched foot was the most frequent type of foot in both groups. Conclusions: Competitive swimmers who participated in this study showed tightness in hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles, which caused a limitation in ankle dorsal flexion, and could cause muscular pain in the foot and lower limb