Introduction and Method: Flexible flat foot, or pes planus, is a common lower extremity abnormality characterized by a flatter medial longitudinal arch, causing the foot's sole to come into near or complete contact with the ground. This study investigated the effects of six weeks of localized and comprehensive corrective exercises on proprioception, balance, and navicular drop in female participants aged 10 to 18 with this deformity. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study utilized a pre-test and post-test design with 51 females diagnosed with flexible flat foot. Participants were randomly assigned to two experimental groups (local and comprehensive) and one control group. A navicular drop test was conducted to assess foot posture. The experimental groups engaged in corrective exercises for six weeks (three sessions per week for 30 minutes), while the control group maintained their usual activities. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of ankle proprioception, balance, and navicular drop were conducted using a goniometer, the Sharpened Romberg test, and the Brody test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 26, involving covariance analysis for between-group differences and paired sample tests for within-group changes.
Findings: The results indicated that the experimental groups showed significant improvements in proprioception, navicular drop, and balance after the interventions (P=0.000), whereas the control group exhibited no significant changes (P>0.05). Additionally, the experimental groups outperformed the control group in the post-test assessments.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that a six-week program of corrective exercises effectively enhances proprioception, balance, and movement performance in girls aged 10 to 18 with flexible flat foot.
