Dancers who have flat feet typically possess this characteristic due to genetic predisposition and the inherent shape of their foot bones, rather than as a result of their dancing activities.
Flat feet, characterized by a lower or absent arch when standing, are primarily determined by factors established before any specific physical training like dance begins.
According to available information, the presence of a flatter arch curve in standing is usually genetically based, and often there are visible racial trends. This highlights that foot shape is a hereditary trait. Some individuals are predisposed to having a flatter arch because of the actual configuration of the bones within their foot.
Here's a breakdown of the key factors:
- Genetic Inheritance: The shape of an individual's foot, including the height of the arch, is largely inherited. If parents or close relatives have flat feet, there is a higher likelihood that a person will also have them.
- Bone Structure: The specific way the bones in the foot are formed and aligned dictates the potential height of the arch. This structural element is a fundamental reason for having a flatter foot shape.
- Limited Influence of Muscles: While strengthening the muscles of the foot is beneficial for stability and function, no matter how strong the small foot muscles get, the shape of the foot will not change significantly if the flatter arch is due to bone structure. Muscle exercises can improve support and function but cannot reshape the bones that define the inherent arch.
Therefore, if a dancer has flat feet, it is most likely due to these underlying genetic and structural reasons. Dancing itself does not cause this type of structural flat foot. While dance training requires strong and flexible feet, the fundamental bony structure that determines arch height is a pre-existing characteristic.
Understanding the cause of flat feet helps dancers manage the condition if they have it, often through proper footwear, orthotics, and specific exercises aimed at strengthening supportive muscles and improving foot mechanics, although the bone shape itself remains unchanged.
