EFFECT OF INTRINSIC FOOT MUSCLE TRAINING ON STATIC STORK BALANCE AND DYNAMIC Y BALANCE IN HEALTHY YOUNG ADULTS: A PRE–POST QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Background: Balance is essential for maintaining postural stability and performing daily functional activities. Static and dynamic balance are interconnected through muscle strength, flexibility, proprioception, and neuromuscular control. The foot serves as the primary point of contact with the ground and plays a crucial role in postural control. Existing literature finds a numerous study on static and dynamic balance among athletes, instability, and healthy individuals with intrinsic foot muscle barely being studied. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of intrinsic foot muscle training on static balance using the Stork Balance Test and dynamic balance using the Y Balance Test. Methodology: In this pre-post quasi experimental study, 54 healthy young adults were included between the age 18 to 28 years. Dynamic balance was assessed through Y Balance Test for lower limb. Static balance was assessed using the Stork Balance Test in seconds. Results: The demographic data and outcome measures didn’t follow normal distribution and data expressed in Median and IQR. Pre-post analysis was carried out using Nonparametric test, Wilcoxon signed Rank test for both the outcome variables Static stork balance and dynamic Y balance. Both variables demonstrated statistically significant improvements following the intervention Conclusion: Intrinsic foot muscles training found to improve the flexor muscle group, thus enhancing foot stability and overall kinetic control during static and dynamic movements such as gait, running. This type of training may contribute to reducing the risk of lower-limb injuries. Keywords: static stork balance, dynamic Y balance, intrinsic foot muscles, stability