The Effects of Three Comprehensive Corrective Exercise Protocols on the Correction of Flexible Flat Foot in Boy Students with Overweight

Flat foot is one of the most common physical and motor disorders among students. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three comprehensive corrective exercise protocols on the correction of flexible flat foot in boy students with overweight.

In this quasi-experimental study, which was performed as a pre-test, post-test with a control group, a total of 80 overweight students with flexible flat foot were selected purposefully and divided into four equal groups (n=20) randomly; (Theraband exercise, NASM, water resistance training and a control group). The experimental groups performed correction exercises for 8 weeks, 3 sessions with 45 minutes per week. Variables were measured at the baseline and after 8 weeks of correctional program. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance by SPSS 24 software at the significance level of p<0.05.

The results of the study showed that the three protocols; Theraband exercise, NASM and water resistance training had a significant effect on the improvement of flexible flat feet in overweight male students with coefficients of 0.23, 0.32 and 0.15, respectively (p≤0.05). Furthermore, it was observed a significant difference between of these three corrective protocols on flexible flat foot.

These findings indicated that the three correction exercises have a significant effect on the improvement of flexible flat feet. Therefore, it is recommended trainers of rehabilitation centers and corrective movements use these training methods.