Comparing the effect of short foot exercise and toe curl exercise on plantar pressure during single-leg standing in individuals with flatfoot: A randomized controlled trial
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Controlling flatfoot biomechanics is crucial in preventing lower limb musculoskeletal injuries. Short foot exercise (SFE) and toe curl exercise (TCE) are interventions for flatfoot; however, their effects on foot biomechanics remain inconsistent. We aimed to compare the impact of SFE and TCE on plantar pressure during single-leg standing (SLS) in individuals with flatfoot.
METHODS
This randomized controlled trial recruited 34 participants with flatfoot (Foot Posture Index-6 > 7). Participants were randomly assigned to SFE or TCE groups and completed 8 weeks of exercise. Plantar pressure during SLS was assessed pre- and post-intervention using a plantar pressure sensor. The foot was divided into eight regions: heel, midfoot, medial, central, lateral metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), hallux, second toe, and 3rd-5th toes. Peak plantar pressure and contact area were analyzed using intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis.
FINDINGS
In the ITT analysis, SFE significantly increased peak plantar pressure in the medial MTPJ (p = 0.016), hallux (p < 0.001), and second toe (p = 0.004), while reducing midfoot pressure (p = 0.0012). TCE significantly increased the heel pressure (p < 0.001). The PP analysis showed similar trends, with additional increases in the lateral MTPJ pressure (p = 0.032) and contact areas of the 3rd-5th toes (p = 0.008) in the SFE group.
INTERPRETATION
SFE increased the medial and lateral MTPJ, hallux, and toe pressure while reducing…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 34 participants or records.
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