An Insight into Select Physical Parameters amongst Primary School Children: A Call for Sustainable Information for Effective Sports Management

Abstract

The prevalence of flat foot and knock knee is a result of postural deformity or incorrect posture that can be corrected if taken care of at an early age. If these postural deformities are not dealt with at an early age, they can hamper the quality of life and restrain children from participating in many sports activities. The main aim of the work is to find the prevalence of flat feet and knock knees among primary school children between 6 to 10 years of age. The relationship between demographic factors such as age, gender and weight with flat feet and knock knees among primary school children are also analysed. The results of the study are drawn using data collected from two schools with 1590 children, out of which 888 are males and 702 are females. The Chi-square test and univariate logistic regression are used for analysis. Further, in this paper, we also analyse the relationship of flat feet with knock knees. In summary three out of every five children were diagnosed with flat feet and two out of every five children were diagnosed with knock knees. The results show that gender and weight were associated with flat feet and weight was associated with knock knees. It was also shown that 80% of children with knock knees also had flat feet. It is suggested that screening and assessment of flat feet and knock knees must be conducted periodically for primary school children.