Effect of mat pilates on flexible flat feet

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of pilates exercises on flexible flat feet in order to improve medial longitudinal arch of flatfoot and to identify whether there is any difference in the correction of flat feet between pilates exercises and the foregoing programme. 24 college students with flexible flat feet with arch index values >0.26 were selected, which included 18 students with bilateral flat feet and 6 subjects with unilateral flat feet and were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention in the experimental group included pilates exercises and control group included intrinsic foot muscles(IFM) strengthening programme for 30 minutes, 3 times/week for 8 weeks. In the inter-group comparison conducted through arch index values, the pilates exercise group showed significant decreases in arch index values of both right and left foot. Among intra-group comparison, the pilates and Intrinsic foot muscle (IFM) group both showed significant decreases in arch index values of both right and left foot. In the present study, it could be seen that pilates exercise programme is more effective on flexible flat feet than IFM training alone.