Effectiveness of Core Stability Exercises on Foot Posture, Function and Limb Alignment in Flexible Flat Feet Patients

Summary

Flexible flat foot is a very common musculoskeletal disorder of lower limbs in general population. Studies have reported that a flexible flat foot causes an alteration in the human body structures and lower limb kinetics due to a rotational torque in the tibia and femur which in turn affects the lumbar spine. This altered mechanics affects the musculature around the lumbar spine especially the core muscles. A strong link between core muscles and lower limb control, foot posture and pressure force has been found in previous studies. While the role of core muscles on lower limb posture and functions has been determined, there is lack of evidence on the benefits of core stabilization exercises on foot arch deficits. Hence, the proposed study will determine the exercise components of core muscles training that are relevant for the flat foot pathology and then will experiment its effects on the foot posture and function. The first step of the proposed study will begin with an extensive literature survey to identify the components of core stability training that have been recommended in the management of lower limbs dysfunction. Then, a protocol of core muscles training will be devised and followed up with a pilot study where the purpose will be to assess the feasibility of the training protocol. The final step of the proposed study will be an experimental study. The subjects for the experimental study will be selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and will be allocated alternately into experimental and control group. The experimental group will receive core stability training as an intervention. Whereas the control group will receive traditional conventional physiotherapy treatment. The foot posture, foot function and lower limb alignment will be assessed before and after the completion of treatment protocol. The data will be analyzed for any differences between group differences and between group differences. The outcomes of the proposed study may have an implication in the lower limb alignment and foot arch correction strategies.

Conditions

• Flexible Flatfoot

Interventions

OTHER

Core stability exercises and Short foot exercises

Core stabilty exercises are the exercises where subjects will be trained to perform exercises like: Curl ups, bridging, side bridges, Planks, and Quadripedal stance exercises in a phased manner, each phase lasting 2 weeks. Complexities and duration of exercises will be increased in each phase. Short foot exercises for control group will include traditional treatment of stretching and strengthening of foot musculature.

OTHER

Conventional foot exercises and short foot exercises

Ankle dorsiflexion, Plantar flexion, Inversion and Eversion range of motion exercises

Sponsors & Collaborators

• International Islamic University Malaysia

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shahid M Dar, MPT · International Islamic University of Malaysia

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

30 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-10-16

Primary Completion

2026-01-15

Completion

2026-01-16

Countries

• Malaysia

Study Locations