Final answer:
Feet turning out during an overhead squat assessment suggests underactivity in anterior tibialis and posterior tibialis muscles, along with potentially weak calf muscles. Strengthening these muscles through targeted exercises can help correct the issue of feet turning out.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the overhead squat assessment, if the feet turn out, this could be indicative of underactive muscles in the lower leg and foot. The muscles possibly underactive are the anterior tibialis, which is responsible for dorsiflexion (raising the sole of the foot off the ground) and inversion (bending the inside of the foot upwards), and the posterior tibialis, which deals with the inversion of the foot and supporting the arch. Additionally, weak or underactive calf muscles such as the gastrocnemius and soleus, which participate in lowering the sole of the foot to the ground and aiding in foot stabilization during movements such as jumping or catching your balance, can also lead to the feet turning out.
To correct this issue, exercises focusing on strengthening these underactive muscles would be recommended. This includes toe taps, heel walks, and resistance exercises that target the anterior and posterior compartments of the leg, as well as exercises that improve ankle stability and mobility.