FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS DURING THE GROWTH PERIOD

Static footprints were obtained from 672 healthy white subjects rangin g in age from newborn to 15 years. The length of the footprint was mea sured and the medial longitudinal arch was evaluated. The findings sho wed that the feet grew most rapidly up to 3 years of age. From age 3 o nward, the feet maintained an almost constant growth rate, which was t he same for both sexes until age 12 years, when girls' feet stopped gr owing, but boys' feet exhibited further growth. From birth up to 2 yea rs of age, there was a higher incidence of flat feet. Rapid progressio n of plantar arch development was observed between 2 and 6 years of ag e.