Recent research has found that strengthening hip joint stability can considerably affect foot mechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short foot exercises (SFEs), combined exercises (CEs), and SFEs with isometric hip abduction (IHA) on navicular drop (ND), static parameters (SP), and postural sway in women with flat foot (FF).
This study recruited 45 women with flexible FF. The participants were divided into 3 groups: the CEs group, who performed a series of strengthening, stretching, and balancing exercises, the SFEs group, and the SFEs with IHA group. The groups carried out their assigned regimens daily for 6 weeks. ND, SP, and postural sway (center of pressure [CoP] parameters) were measured using the ND test and pedoscan device. The data was analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA statistical test (P≤0.05).
The results showed that all 3 groups decreased in ND, surface, and foot rotation in the post-test compared to the pre-test (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the maximum pressure (P = 0.616) and anteroposterior fluctuations (P = 0.065) of the CEs group. Both SFEs and SFEs with IHA groups showed a reduction in all CoP parameters. When comparing the ND (P = 0.22) and mediolateral sway (P = 0.035) of the SFEs with IHA group, a significant difference was observed compared to the CEs group. Additionally, the SFEs with IHA group had a higher percentage of changes in all variables compared to the other 2 groups.
The findings showed that all 3 training methods effectively decreased foot rotation, surface, and ND. Both the groups SFEs and SFEs with IHA had a more significant impact on CoP parameters. Additionally, SFEs with IHA had significantly lower ND and ML postural sway than CEs. Moreover, the PCs in the examined variables were higher in the SFEs with IHA group compared to the other two groups. As a result, SFE with IHA is recommended for reducing ND and SPs and improving postural stability in women with FF.
Source: Zarali A, Raeisi Z, Aminmahalati A. The effects of combined exercises, short foot exercises, and short foot exercises with isometric hip abduction on navicular drop, static parameters, and postural sway in women with flat foot: A randomized trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2024;16:233. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01019-9
I would love to know the exercises that were used in this study. I personally would like to improve my odds of not having any foot issues.