Effect of Eight Weeks of Selected Corrective Exercises, with and Without Medical Insoles, on the Level of Sole Pressure in Adolescent Girls with Genu Valgum

Abstract

Background: Abnormal alignment of the knee joint, the largest joint in the body, causes discomforts such as genu valgum and compensatory deformities. It is necessary to provide some appropriate working procedures with a more detailed study of the effect of these abnormalities on performance.

Method: The current study is a semi-experimental research with a pre-test, and post-test design, 1 control group, and 2 experimental groups. The measurement tool is an RS-SCSN-foot leveler and a caliper, which was used to detect and distribute the amount of pressure on the sole and the angle of the genu valgum. 9 people with genu valgum were identified from among the people who were referred to the Arak Rehabilitation Center. They were randomly selected into 3 groups based on the purposeful conditions. The control group continued their daily activities without making any changes. Experimental group 1, besides medical insoles, also performed selected corrective exercises. Experimental group 2 performed corrective exercises without using insoles. The selected exercises were performed for 8 weeks and 3 days a week for 1.5 hours. The qualified individuals used insoles at least 6 hours a day. The descriptive indices and the relationship between the variables were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, besides all statistical calculations through the Spss software version 22 at a significance level of P<0.05.

Findings: The results of Tukey’s test in the post-test showed that the control group has a significant difference from the exercise group with insole (sig 0.42) and the exercise group (sig 0.39).

Results: Thus, the selected corrective exercises without medical insoles have an effect on the pressure level of the soles of adolescent girls with genu valgum. There was no significant difference between the exercise group with insole and the exercise group (sig 0.999). However, the results of the follow-up test reveal that exercise alone has a greater effect than exercise with an insole on the amount of sole pressure in teenage girls with genu valgum.

Keywords: Selected corrective exercises, Medical insoles, Foot pressure level, Genu valgum