Effect of a Course of Selected Corrective Exercises on Balance and Function of Female Adolescents with Flexible Flatfoot

Abstract

Aims: Postural abnormalities cause dysfunction. In this regard, lower extremity disorders such as flat-foot play a major role in creating lower extremity disorders. The present study evaluates the effect of a course of selected corrective exercise on the balance and performance of adolescent girls with a flat foot. Instruments & Methods:Subjects in this study included 30 students within the age range of 9-10 years old with flat-foot deformities who were randomly selected and divided into two groups of corrective exercise (age: 11.60 ± 1.02 years, height: 148.46±10.29 m, weight: 47.40±11.69 kg and body mass index: 21.42±11.92) and control (age: 11.40±0.95 years, height: 148.46±12.67 m, weight: 47.46±12.28 kg and body mass index: 21.37±4.28). Findings:Demographic data were collected through a questionnaire and Navicular drop method was used to assess flat-foot deformity. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequencies, central indices, and dispersion in the form of tables and graphs, and multivariate analysis of covariance was used to investigate the intergroup differences in research variables. The results showed that corrective program had a significant effect on functional tests and static balance with open and closed eyes (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that corrective exercises were effective in improving balance and function of the studied-participants. Hence, it is suggested that therapists use different exercises related to the trunk and lower extremities in the form of corrective program to improve female adolescents' deformities.