Changes in Foot Biomechanics during Pregnancy and Postpartum: Scoping Review

Maria Otília Brites Zangão (), Ana Filipa Poeira, Marco Branco and Rita Santos-Rocha
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Maria Otília Brites Zangão: Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Department of Nursing, Higher School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
Ana Filipa Poeira: Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Department of Nursing, Higher School of Nursing, University of Évora, 7000-811 Évora, Portugal
Marco Branco: Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Department of Physical Activity and Health, Santarem Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Rita Santos-Rocha: Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Department of Physical Activity and Health, Santarem Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 5, 1-9

Abstract: (1) Background: During pregnancy, changes in foot biomechanics affect structural stability and gait. (2) Objective: To map the available evidence for changes in foot biomechanics during pregnancy and the postpartum period. (3) Methods: Scoping review according to the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute through the relevant databases via EBSCO, MEDLINE with full text, BioOne Complete, CINAHL Plus with full text, Academic Search Complete, and SPORT Discus with full text. The search was conducted in SCOPUS and PubMed. (4) Results: Eight studies were included in the scoping review. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and synthesized data in narrative form. We found that changes in the length and volume of the foot occur during pregnancy and remain in the postpartum period. (5) Conclusions: During pregnancy, anatomical and biomechanical changes occur in the pregnant woman’s foot, potentially contributing to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. However, more research is needed to determine whether these biomechanical changes can lead to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: foot; pregnancy; postpartum period; biomechanical phenomena (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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