The frequency of flatfoot occurrence among 5th–11th grade students participating in different sports

The purpose of the study is to assess the frequency of flatfoot occurrence among 5th–11th grade students depending on the type of sport and sports experience. Research methods and organization. The work used such research methods as analysis of data from literary sources, questionnaires, methods of non-parametric analysis, and the SPSS Statistics 19.0 software package. An online survey of 5th–11th grade students from 28 regions of Russia was conducted. The type of sport, sports experience, the frequency of flatfoot occurrence, and the students' opinion about the influence of sports activities on their well-being were determined. Research results and conclusions. Sports were identified in which flatfoot was more often noted in children: tennis, swimming, badminton, martial arts, figure skating, and hockey. It was also shown that the frequency of flatfoot occurrence in children does not depend on sports experience. For children engaged in figure skating, badminton, and tennis, a smaller number of affirmative answers about the positive influence of these sports on well-being is characteristic. The obtained data can be used in developing programs of pedagogical and medical support for the training process and control of physical loads in those sports in which flatfoot was more often noted in children.