THE EFFECT OF EIGHT WEEKS OF CORRECTIVE GAMES ON NAVICULAR DROP AND LOWER LIMB MUSCLE STRENGTH IN FEMALE STUDENTS WITH FLAT FEET

Paper ID : 1715-SPORTCONGRESS

Authors

Fatemeh Rezai Hasan Abadi *1, hamid abbasi bafghi1, saeid abedinzade2, taher afsharnejad3, reza sharifatpor2 1yazd univercity 2yazd university 3yazd univesity

Abstract

Introduction: Flat foot, as one of the most common musculoskeletal deformities, negatively affects the biomechanical alignment and functional performance of the lower limb. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a corrective games protocol on navicular drop and lower limb muscle strength in students with flat feet. Methods: In this study, the statistical population consisted of adolescent female students from Yazd city. Using a random cluster sampling method, 26 girls aged 9 to 12 years diagnosed with flat feet were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two groups: a corrective games training group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 13). The severity of flat foot was assessed using the Brody method for the navicular drop test, and lower limb muscle strength was measured isometrically with a foot dynamometer in the Corrective Exercise Laboratory at Yazd University during the pre-test. The corrective games program was implemented for the training group over an eight-week period. Results: The results demonstrated that the corrective games protocol had a significant effect on improving flat foot deformity, reducing the degree of navicular drop by 52.82% (P=0.001, η²=0.522) and increasing lower limb muscle strength by 26.24% (P=0.001, η²=0.399). According to the covariance analysis (ANCOVA), these changes were statistically significant, indicating the effectiveness of the protocol in enhancing dynamic stability and muscular support of the foot and ankle complex. Conclusion :The results of this study indicate that corrective games improve flat foot deformity, reduce navicular drop, and enhance lower limb muscle strength. These benefits may result from the enjoyable and engaging nature of the games, which increase students’ motivation and participation. Therefore, incorporating corrective games into physical education and rehabilitation programs can be an effective strategy to enhance foot function and prevent postural deformities.

Keywords

Corrective games, Students, Navicular Drop, Muscle Strength

Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation)