Title:

Comparisons between lower-extremity strengthening exercises and foot orthoses for improving medial longitudinal arch height in individuals with flexible flat foot: an 8-week randomised clinical trial

Creator:

Engkananuwat, Phoomchai ; Kanlayanaphotporn, Rotsalai

Subject and Keywords:

exercise ; flexible flatfoot ; foot orthoses ; medial longitudinal arch ; navicular drop

Abstrakt:

Introduction. Flexible flatfoot is a recognised risk factor for lower extremity injuries. This study aimed to compare changes in the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) between a strengthening exercise group (EG) and a foot orthoses group (FOG).Methods. Thirty-eight healthy participants with bilateral flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to either the EG or the FOG (n = 19 per group). The EG performed exercises 5 days a week, while the FOG wore foot orthoses for more than five hours daily. Measurements of navicular drop, arch height index (AHI), plantar pressure, static balance, dynamic balance, and lower extremity muscle strength were taken at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks.Results. Both groups significantly improved in most measures at 4 and 8 weeks compared to baseline. At 8 weeks, the EG demonstrated substantially greater improvements in navicular drop (p < 0.001, d = 1.542) and AHI (p < 0.001, d = –1.286) than the FOG. The EG also exhibited significantly better improvements than the FOG in static balance in the anteroposterior direc-tion (p = 0.027, d = 0.517), dynamic balance in the medial (p = 0.049, d = –0.460) and lateral directions (p = 0.017, d = –0.562), and lower extremity muscle strength (p < 0.05, d = –0.755 and –1.109, r = 0.473).Conclusions. Lower-extremity exercise proved more effective than foot orthoses in enhancing the MLA and improving balance in individuals with flexible flatfoot.

Publisher:

Wydawnictwo Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego im. Polskich Olimpijczyków we Wrocławiu

Place of publication:

Wrocław

Date:

2025

Resource Type:

artykuł

Language:

ang

Relation:

Physiotherapy Quarterly ; Physiotherapy Quarterly,2025,vol.33,nr2

Rights:

Wszystkie prawa zastrzeżone (Copyright)

Access Rights:

Dla wszystkich zgodnie z licencją

License:

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Rights Owner:

Wydawnictwo Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego im. Polskich Olimpijczyków we Wrocławiu