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Plyometric vs. Intrinsic Foot Muscle Training in Pediatric Flatfoot
Sponsor: Faculty of Medicine, Sousse
Summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate how the order of exercises in a training program affects foot mechanics and physical performance in children with flexible flatfoot. Flexible flatfoot is common in children and can affect how weight is distributed on the foot, balance, and athletic abilities. While both foot-strengthening exercises and jump training (plyometrics) are helpful, it is not known which one should be done first to get the best results. In this study, thirty-six young male football players with flexible flatfoot were divided into three groups. The first group performed jump training followed by foot muscle strengthening. The second group did the foot muscle strengthening first, followed by jump training. The third group served as a control group and did not change their usual training. The researchers measured changes in foot pressure, balance, jumping height, muscle force, and sprint speed before and after the training to find out which exercise order is most effective for improving athletic performance and foot loading.
Official title: Plyometric-First Versus Intrinsic Foot Muscle-First Training in Children With Flexible Flatfoot: Effects on Plantar Loading and Athletic Performance
Key Details
Gender
MALE
Age Range
9 Years - 12 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
36
Start Date
2025-11-15
Completion Date
2026-05-15
Last Updated
2026-10-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Plyometric Training
Jump and plyometric exercises performed 3 times per week for a total duration of 4 weeks. This intervention is implemented during Phase 1 for Group P1-R2 and during Phase 2 for Group R1-P2.
Locations (1)
Research Laboratory (LR19ES09), Exercise Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine of Sousse, University of Sousse
Sousse, Tunisia