Effects of bilateral flexible flatfeet on core stability muscles / Faten fathy ibrahim hassan ; Supervised Salwa Fadle Abdelmajeed , Nasef Mohammed Nasef , Maha Mostafa Mohammed

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Flexible flatfoot is a common deformity in adults that has been linked to the development of numerous lower limb injuries and back pain via a distal to proximal pathomechanical model. Core muscles act as stabilizers for the trunk and weak core places a person at greater risk of low back pain (LBP) and lower limb injuries. However, no study had evaluated the effect of flatfoot on core muscles{u2019} endurance. Purpose of the study: To investigate the effects of bilateral flexible flatfeet on core muscles{u2019} endurance. Subjects: Thirty subjects with bilateral flexible flatfeet (study group) were compared with thirty normal subjects (control group). Methods: Navicular drop test (NDT) was used to evaluate the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). Biodex system 3 pro was used to assess the endurance time of the hip abductors, extensors and external rotators bilaterally. A modified flexion, modified back extension, and lateral musculature endurance tests were used to evaluate the endurance of the trunk muscles. Results: No significant difference was observed in the endurance time of hip abductors, extensors, external rotators, trunk flexors and trunk extensors between the study and control groups. However, there was a significant decrease in the lateral trunk muscles{u2019} endurance time on both sides in the study group compared with that of the control group. Conclusion: Impairment of the lateral core endurance was observed in subjects with bilateral flexible flatfeet which may predispose to low back disorders and other lower limb injuries in those subjects

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