Effects of Exercise Training Programs on Postural Control and Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Flat Feet and Cavus Feet: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Considering the high prevalence of flat feet and cavus feet abnormalities among people and the adverse effects resulting from these complications on both balance and function, a systematic review on the effectsof various exercise programs on postural control and dynamic balance of these individuals seems to be essential. Thus, the current systematic review and metaanalysis examined the effects of exercise training programs on postural control and dynamic balance among individuals with flat feet and cavus feet.

Relevant articles were identified through searches across the eight databases of PubMed, SCOPUS, LILACS, CINAHL, CENTRAL, Web of Science,PEDro, and Google Scholar. The search period ranged from the beginning ofavailable date to November 2021. Manual searches and a complete investigation of the references of papers were also performed.

The current systematic review and meta-analysis included 13 studies.Meta-analysis results indicated that the exercise programs had a significant effect on posture control (P=0.001) and dynamic balance (P=0.001) among individuals with flat feet and cavus feet. The effect size of Hedges’s g of the exercise programs on postural control was 1.81 with a confidence interval of 95% (1.40-2.22). The effect size of Hedges’s g of the exercise programs on dynamic balance was 1.32 with a 95% confidence interval (0.98-1.67).

The present systematic review found that exercise programs had a significant effect on the postural control and dynamic balance of individuals with flat feet and cavus feet abnormalities. Study results have revealed that to better correct abnormalities and thus further improve postural control and dynamic balance, the period of exercise program should be increased. Moreover, exercise programs should also focus on greater involvement ofneuromuscular systems and direct effects on the central nervous system so that a greater effect on improving postural control and dynamic balance can be observed.