Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of combined exercises (CE), short foot exercise (SFE), and SFE with isometric hip abduction (SFEIHA) on dynamic balance (DB), joint position sense (JPS), and strength in women with flexible flatfoot (FF).
Methods: 40 women with FF participated in this semi-experimental study, and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CE (n=14); SFE (n=13); and SFEIHA (n=13). Six weeks of exercise were completed by the participants, split into three sessions under the supervision and three sessions at home. The Y balance test, goniometer, and dynamometer were used to assess DB, JPS, and strength before and after the exercises, respectively. The mixed-model repeated-measures MANOVA statistical test was used to analyze the data with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The results revealed that after performing the exercises, there was a significant difference in the DB in the SFE group in two posteromedial and posterolateral directions, in the SFEIHA group in three directions, and in the CE group in the posterolateral direction (P<0.05). After the exercises, there was no significant difference in either of the groups' JPS or plantar flexors and dorsal flexors strength (P>0.05). Between the groups, there was no difference in any of the other variables (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Considering that the DB changes in the SFEIHA group were more than in the other two groups, these exercises are suggested to improve the DB in women with FF.
Type of Study:
Research |
Subject:
General Received: 2023/03/2 | Accepted: 2023/03/12 | Published: 2023/01/13