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The Effect of Different Exercises on Lower Extremity Performance in Flexible Flatfoot

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Flexible Flatfoot
Interventions
Other: PNF exercise
Other: Clam exercise
Other: Short-foot exercise
Registration Number
NCT06482580
Lead Sponsor
Mustafa Kemal University
Brief Summary

In the study, the effects of two different strengthening exercises combined with short foot exercise on lower extremity functional performance and muscle strength will be examined and compared in adults aged 18-45 years with flexible flatfoot. This study was designed as an experimental, 3-arm, parallel group, double-blind randomized controlled study that included a 6-week intervention period.

Detailed Description

Participants will be randomly divided into 3 different groups (control group, foot-ankle exercise group, hip exercise group). The control group will be instructed to perform only short foot exercise; the foot-ankle exercise group will be instructed to perform 3-dimensional foot-ankle extension exercise in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) pattern in addition to short foot exercise; the hip exercise group will be instructed to perform hip abductor and external rotator muscle strengthening exercise (clam exercise) in addition to short foot exercise. Foot-ankle and hip exercises will be performed against resistance with the help of an elastic band, 3 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and progression will be made by changing to a higher level of difficulty band color every 2 weeks. Short foot exercise will be performed every day of the week (3 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist; the rest of the days as a home exercise program) and will be progressed by changing position (sitting, standing, on one leg respectively) every 2 weeks. All exercises will be performed for 6 weeks. Assessments will be performed at the beginning and end of the exercises by another researcher blinded to group allocation. Isometric muscle strength of the intrinsic foot, four-way ankle circumference and hip abductor-external rotator muscles, endurance of the plantar flexors, forward jump and dynamic balance performance will be evaluated respectively.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age range is 18-45 years
  • Navicular drop is 10 mm or more
  • Getting a value of +6 points or more from the Foot Posture Index-6
Exclusion Criteria
  • Orthopedic and rheumatological diseases of the spinal region and lower extremities
  • Surgery history of the spine and lower extremities
  • Neurological and systemic disorders
  • Describe lower extremity and/or lower back pain in the last 6 months
  • Disorders that may affect cognition and balance (otitis media, visual impairment, etc.)
  • Body mass index being above normal values (18-24.9 kg/m2)
  • Having rigid flat feet and/or hallux rigidus-limitus deformity
  • Being involved in regular sports or exercise
  • Having received any physiotherapy or rehabilitation treatment for flat feet or hips in the last year

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PNF exercise groupShort-foot exerciseAll groups will be subjected to exercise training for 6 weeks: PNF exercise group will receive 3-dimensional (3D) foot-ankle extension exercise and short-foot exercise. The exercise will be performed 2 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and 1 day as home exercise; KA exercise will be performed daily, 2 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist and the other days as home exercise.
Clam exercise groupShort-foot exerciseAll groups will be subjected to exercise training for 6 weeks: Clam exercise group will receive mussel exercise and short-foot exercise. The exercise will be performed 2 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and 1 day as home exercise; KA exercise will be performed daily, 2 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist and the other days as home exercise.
PNF exercise groupPNF exerciseAll groups will be subjected to exercise training for 6 weeks: PNF exercise group will receive 3-dimensional (3D) foot-ankle extension exercise and short-foot exercise. The exercise will be performed 2 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and 1 day as home exercise; KA exercise will be performed daily, 2 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist and the other days as home exercise.
Clam exercise groupClam exerciseAll groups will be subjected to exercise training for 6 weeks: Clam exercise group will receive mussel exercise and short-foot exercise. The exercise will be performed 2 days a week under the supervision of a physiotherapist and 1 day as home exercise; KA exercise will be performed daily, 2 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist and the other days as home exercise.
Control groupShort-foot exerciseAll groups will be subjected to exercise training for 6 weeks: Control group will receive only KA exercise and this exercise will be performed daily, 2 days under the supervision of a physiotherapist and the other days as home exercise.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Medial longitudinal arch height6 weeks

Medial longitudinal arch height will be evaluated with the navicular drop test.

Static foot posture6 weeks

Static foot posture will be evaluated with Foot Posture Index-6.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Isometric muscle strength6 weeks

Abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor hallucis brevis, 4-way ankle muscles and hip abductor/external rotator isometric muscle strength will be evaluated using a digital hand-held dynamometer.

Lower extremity functional performance6 weeks

With plantar flexor focused endurance performance heel raise test; with dynamic balance Y balance test; Single leg forward jump performance will be evaluated with the single leg hop for distance test.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Gazi University, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

🇹🇷

Ankara, Çankaya, Turkey

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