Foot Posture and Balance in Children With Flexible Flatfeet: Effects of Mud-walk

Flatfeet is one of the predominant conditions of feet in children and is characterized by absence of medial longitudinal arch. Flatfeet affect the foot posture by altering the entire biomechanics of musculoskeletal system of lower limb. It ultimately affects the balance and functional mobility in children and may have poor quality of life in adulthood. The strength training programs and uneven surfaces have been used previously for its intervention. The mud-walk provides natural resistance along with sensory feedback due to its soft, variable surface. The aim of this study is to determine effects of mud-walk on foot posture, balance and functional performance of lower limb in children with flexible flatfeet. The study will be a quasi-experimental study with a pre-post study design. 37 children with bilateral flexible flatfeet of age 6-11 years will be recruited by non-probability convenience sampling with pre and post assessment from Presentation Convent High School and The Sanai School Sargodha. All children will be assessed for inclusion and exclusion. The navicular height, foot posture, balance and functional performance of lower limb will be assessed through Navicular Drop Test, Foot Posture Index-6, Pediatric Berg Balance Scale and Single Leg Hop Test respectively. All recruited children will receive intervention for 30 minutes a day for 3 days a week for total 6 weeks. The exercise program will include warm up phase, walk on mud and cool down phase. Data will be analyzed through SPSS version 27.0.