Effects of core-lower limb coordinated Pilates on gait and balance in women with flexible pes planus: a pilot randomized controlled trial

In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effects of a core-lower limb coordinated Pilates exercise on gait and postural balance in women with bilateral flexible pes planus. Twenty-two women aged 34.64 ± 9.59 years with bilateral navicular drop ≥10 mm assessed by the navicular drop test (NDT) were randomly assigned to either a Pilates training group or a control group. Gait parameters - including foot off, step time, stride time, walking speed, and cadence - were assessed using a validated three-dimensional motion analysis system. Postural balance was quantified as center of pressure (COP) sway in both anterior - posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, including range, velocity, and root mean square (RMS), using a force plate. Gait and balance were evaluated at baseline and after the 8-week intervention. Significant improvements were observed in step-time (<i>p</i> = .014), stride-time (<i>p</i> = .045), and cadence (<i>p</i> = .033), as well as postural balance variables, particularly in ML-RMS (<i>p</i> = .003), for the Pilates group compared to the control group. These results suggest that Pilates exercise may benefit gait and postural balance in individuals with flexible pes planus.