What is the effect of a physical activity program on foot structure & function in overweight & obese children?

It has been speculated that the higher peak pressures typically generated beneath the feet of overweight/obese children may result in excessive discomfort of these children’s developing feet (Mickle et al. 2006, Dowling et al. 2001), in turn, acting as a deterrent to them participating in physical activity. Apart from perpetuating the cycle of obesity via decreased energy expenditure, physical inactivity in young children can restrict opportunities for these children to develop basic motor skills and, possibly, proper musculoskeletal development. We postulated that an intervention designed to improve fundamental movement skill (FMS) performance in overweight and obese young children may influence development of the children’s base of support, the feet, during locomotor skills. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the effects of a FMS intervention program on foot structure and function in young overweight and obese children.