The Effect of Eight Weeks of Corrective Games on the Functional Assessment, Navicular Drop Index, and Balance in Male Students Aged 9 to 12 with Flexible Flatfoot

Background: Individuals with flatfoot, a condition where the foot arch is not normal, may encounter various pathomechanical and physiological complications. This condition often includes symptoms such as fatigue, impaired athletic performance, and pain along the pathway of the posterior tibial tendon. One of the current methods for correcting postural deformities is the use of games. Objectives: This study aims to examine the impact of eight weeks of corrective games on functional assessment, Navicular Drop Index, and balance in male students aged 9 to 12 years with flexible flatfoot. Methods: The study population consisted of 18 physically healthy male students aged 9 to 12 years from Tehran city who voluntarily participated in this research. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Corrective games (n = 11) and control (n = 9). The corrective games group underwent an eight-week game-based intervention with three weekly sessions. The single-leg hop test, navicular drop test, and Y balance test (YBT) were conducted as pre- and post-tests. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: A significant difference was found between the two groups in the scores of the YBT (P < 0.036) and the single-leg hop test (P < 0.043), even when the pre-test effect was taken into account (covariate). This indicates that the corrective games had an impact on performane and balance. Conclusions: We recommend that coaches and therapists working with children and adolescents utilize game-based corrective exercises to enhance balance and performance.