Assist. Prof. Dr. Siriporn SASIMONTONKUL
1st Vice-President, Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science (ACESS)
Former Dean, Faculty of Sports Sceince
Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences
Kasetsart University
Thailand
Asst. Prof. Dr. Siriporn Sasimontonkul earned a Ph.D. in Biomechanics from Oregon State University and a M.Sc. in Exercise Physiology from Mahidol University. She established faculty of sports science, Kasetsart University, since 2005 and served as its dean during 2006 – 2009 and 2014 - 2023. She also established both undergraduate and graduate curricula related to Sports Science, Athletic Training and Movement Science. She has collaborated with the ministry of health to establish national physical activity guidelines. She has also conducted projects with various agencies and communities regarding exercise for disease prevention, systems for fall prediction of elderly, and wearable products for individuals with movement problems. She has been the vice president of Asian Council of Exercise and Sports Science and the Chair of consortium for the dean of faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education. Her research interests include biomechanical analysis with special emphasis on movement analysis, impact of loads on bone health and bone injuries, exercise prescription for disease prevention.
Integrated Current Information to Enhance the Health Status of Overweight Individuals
Flexible flatfoot (FF) is a non-rigid medial longitudinal arch (MLA). MLA will collapse from weight bearing and recoil back after unloading. FF is common in children because their foot muscles and bones are less rigid. FF in children may either disappear after 6 years of age, because the development of MLA is complete, or further progress to be a persistent flat foot. However, they could induce plantar pain after participating in physical activities (PA). It is because the depression of MLA from weight bearing load will extend plantar fascia repetitively. Flat foot led to an abnormal movement during PA due to malalignment of the foot and lower extremity. The combination of the flat MLA and an internal rotation of talus in FF lead to a greater internal rotation of the tibia and the knee joint during gait which may relate to the injuries of the knee. Overweight children could develop flat feet as young as 3 years of age. Moreover, there was an association between obesity and flat feet among 3-18 years old children, which 4 – 75 percents of overweight children developed flat feet. Flat feet are also common in obese adults. Pain will discourage overweight individuals with flat feet from PA engagement. However, PA engagement helps reduce the risk of chronic disease and prevent osteoporosis. Currently, there is evidence of cross communication between adipocyte, muscle, and bone. Performing a weight bearing exercise regularly could enhance bone remodeling which may control by cytokines releasing from either adipocyte or muscle. The integrated discussion regarding exercise to reduce systemic inflammation, activate bone remodeling, and prevent injury from flat MLA in obese will be shared.