Are you flat-footed?

Discussion in 'General Forum' started by kwun, Sep 12, 2003.

?

Are you flat-footed?

  1. Yes.

    4 vote(s)
    100.0%
  2. No.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    how many of us are flat footed badminton players?

    flat-footed-ness is usually associated with non-athleticism. i was told that Chinese athletic schools will reject students who are flatfooted. i wonder how that actually affect a game.
     
  2. Nanashi

    Nanashi Regular Member

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    extremely!

    so i can blame my crappy badminton ability on it! :D
     
  3. ruth1

    ruth1 Regular Member

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    this might be a silly question, but how can you tell if you're flatfooted?
     
  4. Nanashi

    Nanashi Regular Member

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    around the centre of your foot, it should arch upwards
     
  5. Kurodo

    Kurodo Regular Member

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    my friend played badminton and is now running on x-country... hes flat footed...

    if flatfootedness is viewed as non-athletic.. shouldnt asthmatic people also be viewed as non-athletic? ive been hospitalized from asthma a few times wen i was younger, now i run a 4-5 miles at a quick pace without crapping out at all.. but i can still feel the asthma

    with enough training and determination... one can overcome these limitations, theres no doubt you have to work alot harder than those that dont have these obstacles.. so dont give up people!! theres is hope for everyone if youre willing to give it some WORK.. go people!! lolz
     
  6. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    i noticed that when i play badminton and on the ready stance, i really have to deliberately lift my heels to be "correct". i have to lift it so much it feel quite unnatural, but other tells me that is just normal clearance...
     
  7. wilfredlgf

    wilfredlgf Regular Member

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    I've been trying to stand on the balls of my feet from yesterday and before I know it, I find moving a little more easier but with additional stress on the muscles. Feels really unnatural but that's how it's done, I suppose.
     
  8. Joanne

    Joanne Regular Member

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    Lol, reading this thread just made me realize that I'm not handicapped. Always thought something was wrong with my leg, it isn't flat like most people I know. I've been trying lately to stand on the balls of my feet during badminton, I find that sometimes I'll do it without meaning to, or sometimes when I DO remember to stand on the balls of my feet, it feels really unnatural. :rolleyes:

    Anyway, I don't think it'll affect players in anyway, does it?
     
  9. Californian

    Californian Regular Member

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    I’ve thought about posting a topic like this before since I have flat feet and wondered what the experiences of other players were.

    I know the US military traditionally considered flat feet some kind of a handicap (I don’t know if they still do). During the Vietnam War, I was exempted from the draft because of my feet. The only problems I noticed while growing up was that if I jumped down from the top of a fence or a table, my lower legs would hurt when I landed (so maybe between all the marching and jumping over obstacles, the military wisdom was that we would be a liability). Otherwise, I’ve been running and playing badminton for many years with no pain.

    Most information available is about the possible injuries that flat feet can cause, not only to the feet, but also to the knees and back. What I would really be interested in is the results of any study done on athletic performance, or I would like to hear what top international players, coaches, or trainers have to say about it. No matter how much I work at it, movement around the court has always been my biggest problem, and I’ve always wondered how much it is due to my feet. It may also account for why I’ve never been much good at jumping or leaping.

    I found this brief statement at the site flatfoot.com. Especially note what I highlighted:

    “The foot is comprised of 26 bones, the foot serves two distinctly different purposes. As the heel strikes the ground, the foot must be a soft supple shock absorber. As the foot passes through the gait cycle, it must become rigid to provide an effective lever with which to toe-off. The anatomy of someone with flat feet is deficient in that the foot cannot ever achieve rigidity a normal foot can. Therefore, a person with flat feet must expend extra energy and skew the foot to toe-off. The rigidity of the foot is lost, and it becomes a much less effective lever for toe-off. This process is repeated with every step you take.”

    The way I read this, people like us would have a special problem with the start of the step. Our feet don’t respond as well when pushing off.

    I’d like to see more comments, and if anybody can post anything about the effect of this condition on athletic performance, particularly badminton, or if anyone can quote from top players, please do so.
     
  10. gritngrind74

    gritngrind74 Regular Member

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    I have flat feet and i have to admit that i move slower than some of my friends who aren't flat footed BUT the two best players in the club i play in are flat footed. i think flat footedness will become a factoron what level of skill you are playing at. for example: if you're a weekend warrior like us i don't think it will really matter because the level of play isn't what it's like for the pros. we play decent badminton at my club. we smash, return smashes, lunge for drops etc... but we are definitely not good enough for the pros. with our level of play it would be possible to keep up with the normal footed people. the real difference i can see between the normal footed and flat footed people is potential. if flat footed wanted to make a career out of badminton then they'll probably not get far but if you just play in the clubs and join local tournaments then i think it shouldn't pose such a problem.
     
  11. ynexfan2003

    ynexfan2003 Regular Member

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    "flat-footedness"

    I'm definitely not flat footed - I have really high arches - however I am really slow about court now :( . I've got to do someone footwork drills (if I can learn any from anywhere) to improve my speed.
    I think there are some exercises for increasing the retention of the muscle between the heel and ball of the foot; I did foot scrunches when I had problems with my achilles and it helped a lot with my balance.

    BTW, here's a pic below of someone with flat feet
     

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  12. Cheung

    Cheung Moderator

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    Ive had this problem about pushing off but I tried to rectify it by changing and improvement of technique. Other things like timing to move just as the opponent hits the shuttle or doing the split step with both feet landing simulataneously on the ground have a much greater bearing on acceleration...IMHO, of course. I also think it is less of a problem in doubles than in singles.

    I would support the view that it doesn't have a big influence on most amateurs playing.

    High level players, maybe..but a survey would be needed.
     
  13. palydu

    palydu Regular Member

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    This might seem somewhat strange, but I believe I have half a flat foot in my left foot but my right foot is completely normal. Heredity probably plays a minor factor in this but not completely, as both of my parents are normal footed (?)

    The Varsity singles #1 and doubles #1 of our high school team last year had flat fleet (one doubles partner had it, the other didn't). They reached CCS preliminaries, for those not in California, it's basically like the regionals. My personal injection is that it does contribute to non-athleticism but not as pronounced as some might lead you to believe. The flat footers' obstacle is to work around this by developing their own personal style.
     
  14. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    i am surprised to see (so far) nearly 40% of all responsed are flat-footed. i had thought that the % of flat-footed players are less than that.

    but i too think it is not really a sign of handicap. it is just that flat footed players need to pay more attention to stay relaxed and spend more effort at foot movements...
     
  15. shuttleguru

    shuttleguru Regular Member

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    i am "the most flat footed person my physio has seen" but it doesnt affect me that much, you just make loads of noise but the movement is not afected too much,
     
  16. shuttleguru

    shuttleguru Regular Member

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    i dont agree that you cannot keep up with others if u r flat footed, i am not brilliant, but im in the top 8 in my country, and i am able to keep um
     
  17. kwun

    kwun Administrator

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    i think "cannot keep up" is too strong. perhaps "takes more effort" is more accurate.

    i was also told that flat footed ppl are slower but last longer. i am not sure how accurate that one is though.
     
  18. ynexfan2003

    ynexfan2003 Regular Member

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    percentage of BF members with flat feet

    The percentage of BF members reporting that they have flat feet is quite disproportionate to that estimated by medical journals of the population who have the condition; c.10% of people are thought to have true flat feet, of which a very small number have rigid flat feet (where a proper arch is not developed as the person stands on their toes), and about 1 in 10 of the population have mobile/physiological flat feet where the arch reappears when the big toe is extended upwards or when the said person is standing on their toes. Probably nobody here has rigid flat feet, as it would be very painful to play badminton. There isn't much literature on specific disadvantages of having flat feet; indeed much of it suggests there are none, save an increased susceptiblity to injury.
    So to those who think they have flat feet try the following tests:

    i). Wet your feet and then stand on a flat, dry surface that will leave an imprint of your foot. If your foot leaves a nearly complete imprint, as in image 1 below, you have flat feet.

    ii). Lift your big toe up and/or stand on your toes; if your arch does not appear, you've got problems :confused: . If the arch does appear and you leave an imprint like image 1, you should try using a straight shaped shoe with an antipronation post or footbridge, that is, a dense material along the inner edge of the shoe to prevent excessive pronation. Specialised running shops often sell this type of "motion control" shoe.
     

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  19. ynexfan2003

    ynexfan2003 Regular Member

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    Incidentally, I thought I had posted a query about having hammer-toes, and the effect this might have on agility about court (?). I know there are some BF members who have studied medicine; anyone know anything about this condition (i.e. treatment, how it affects performance etc.)?
     
  20. ynexfan2003

    ynexfan2003 Regular Member

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    You're in the top 8? Is your name any of the following?

    England, NationalRankings; position 8:

    Nicholas Kidd (Men's singles)
    Graham HURRELL (Men's Doubles)
    Leah TARRY (Women's singles)
    Emma HENDRY (W.'s Doubles)
    Chris ROE (Mixed Doubles)
    Lesley PAINE (Mixed Doubles)

    If not, would you mind clarifying which rank you currently hold?
    -Sorry for thread-jacking.
     

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