Effects of Elastic Band Exercise on Navicular Drop, Foot Posture Index and Muscle Strength on Young Adults with Flexible Flat Feet

Abstract

Background: In India, the prevalence of flexible flat feet of 18-25-year-old adults was 13.6% (males-12.8%, females-14.4%). Furthermore, it has been regarded as a potential risk factor for lower limb injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament rupture, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and hip joint pain. The present study aims to study the effect of elastic band strengthening on navicular drop, foot posture index, and muscle strength in young adults with flexible flat feet METHOD: Samples of 56 patients with bilateral flat feet with a mean age of 18-25 years were randomly recruited in the elastic band strengthening exercise group and non-elastic band strengthening exercise group. The intervention to both the groups was given 3 days per week for consecutive 4 weeks, and the outcomes in the form of Navicular Drop(ND), Foot Posture Index(FPI), and muscle strength were measured pre-intervention and post-intervention for 56 participants (28 in each group). RESULTS: Both elastic band strengthening exercises and elastic band strengthening exercises are therapeutically beneficial in participants with bilateral flexible flat feet. However, elastic band strengthening gives added effects to improve navicular drop, foot posture index, and muscle strength. CONCLUSION: Both elastic band strengthening exercise and non-elastic band strengthening exercises are therapeutically beneficial in participants with bilateral flexible flat feet, however, elastic band strengthening gives added effects to improve navicular drop (ND), foot posture index (FPI), and muscle strength. Key words: Flexible flat feet, MLA, Navicular Drop, and Foot posture Index