| STUDYING THE EFFECT OF SELECTED CORRECTIVE EXERCISES ON CHANGES IN PLANTAR PRESSURE PATTERNS IN CHILDREN WITH FLEXIBLE FLAT FEET WITH OR WITHOUT OVERWEIGHT |
| Paper ID : 1600-SPORTCONGRESS |
| Authors |
|
محمد شاهپوری *1, سمانه برهانی2 1MSc in Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Research Expert, Razi Clinical Research Development Unit, Razi Hospital, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran 21- Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine. GhaemShahr Razi Hospital. Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Iran |
| Abstract |
| Background: Childhood obesity and flexible flatfoot are common pediatric conditions that can have synergistic negative effects on lower limb biomechanics. Objectives: To examine the effects of a six week corrective exercise program on plantar pressure distribution and foot structure indices, comparing normal weight and overweight/obese children with flexible flatfoot. Methods: In this quasi experimental study, 100 children aged 6–12 years with clinically diagnosed flexible flatfoot were stratified into normal weight (n=50) and overweight/obese (n=50) groups. Participants completed daily 40 minute supervised corrective exercise sessions for six weeks. Outcomes included Pressure Ratio, Forefoot (FF) Ratio, Rearfoot (RF) Ratio, Pressure Area (cm²), Arch Width (cm), Toe Width (cm), and Heel Width (cm), assessed using static plantar scans before and after intervention. Paired t-tests evaluated within group changes; independent t-tests compared between group Δ values. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Normal weight children showed significant improvements in all indices (Pressure Ratio: –0.06 ± 0.03, p=0.003; FF Ratio: –0.04 ± 0.02, p=0.007; RF Ratio: –0.02 ± 0.01, p=0.012; Pressure Area: –2.4 cm², p=0.019; Arch Width: +0.50 cm, p=0.011; Toe Width: –0.15 cm, p=0.048; Heel Width: –0.15 cm, p=0.033). Overweight group showed no significant changes in any parameter (p>0.05). Between-group Δ differences were significant in all outcomes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Corrective exercises significantly improved plantar pressure distribution and foot structure in normal-weight but not overweight/obese children. Combined weight management strategies may be essential for the latter group. |
| Keywords |
| Childhood obesity, Flexible flatfoot, Plantar pressure, Corrective exercise, Foot biomechanics. |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |
