Introduction: FLAT FOOT is one of the most common disorders which not only influences the performance of the FOOT, but also affects the alignments of the ankle, knee and hip joints. The performance of FLAT arched differs from that of normal subjects during walking. However, there is not enough information in the literature regarding the difference between standing stability. Moreover, the influence of use of FOOT insole on standing stability has not been yet evaluated. This study was aimed to investigate the stability of subjects with FLAT FOOT with and without insole.Materials and Methods: Forty female students in Isfahan University of Medical sciences participated in this study. Then they classified into two equal groups of twenty normal and FLAT arched individual. Center of pressure (COP) was measured using Kistler force plate. The stability was evaluated by calculating the COP excursions, path length, and velocity in the mediolateral and antroposterior directions. The differences between stability of normal and FLAT FOOT subjects with and without insole were evaluated by use of sample and paired t-test, respectively (a=0.05).Results: There was a significant difference between the stability of FLAT arched and normal subjects based on COP velocity and total velocity (P<0.05). However, there was not a direct correlation between the severity of FLAT FOOT and instability during quiet standing (P>0.05). The mean values±SD of COP total velocity during standing with and without insole were 1645.42±160 and 2752±683 mm/min, respectively (P<0.001).Conclusion: The FLAT FOOT is more unstable compared with normal subjects during quiet standing due to miss-alignment of FOOT structure and a decrease in proprioception awareness of the FOOT ligaments and tendon. Insole can help to align FOOT structure and also reduce the exceed forces applied on the ligament and finally improves the standing stability.

Background: FLAT FOOT is a generic term used to describe any condition of the FOOT in which the longitudinal arch is abnormally low or absent. Although the exact prevalence of FLAT FOOT in children is unknown, it is undoubtedly one of the most common deformities observed by pediatric orthopedists. The prevalence of FLAT FOOT is different in various studies from different societies, hence the true prevalence of FLAT FOOT is unknown. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we clinically examined both feet in 812 male elementary school students of Shiraz, in both sitting and standing positions. The presence of FLAT FOOT and the degree of its severity according to Tachdjian's system of grading for FLATFOOT was assessed. Also, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) of each subject was measured. Results: The data showed that the overall prevalence of FLAT FOOT was 35.7 percent out of which 23.4 percent were mild, 10.7 percent were moderate and 1.6 percent were severe. Additionally, significant relationship between the prevalence of FLAT FOOT and body measurements was observed. The data showed that the prevalence and degree of severity of FLAT FOOT increased with higher values for weight, height and BMI. Conclusion: This study showed that FLAT FOOT is a common problem among male children in our society and should be addressed by responsible organizations especially if it persists through adulthood.

Introduction: The human FOOT contains one of the most variable structures of the body, namely the medial longitudinal arch. Decreasing the height of this arch is called FLAT FOOT. Although there is some evidence regarding the influence of FLAT FOOT on gait performance of subjects with FLAT arch, there is no strong evidence to support the effect of FLAT FOOT on energy consumption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of FLAT FOOT in energy consumption.Materials and Methods: Two groups of 25 normal and FLAT-FOOTed subjects were recruited in this research project. They were selected from the female staff and students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.The FOOT indexes of both groups were obtained using FOOTprint method through Solid Work software. The physiological cost index of the subjects was measured by use of heart rate monitoring system (Polar Electro Finland). The difference between the PCI of subjects in the two studied groups was statistically determined via t-test. In addition, the influence of using insole was evaluated by use of paired t-test.Results: The energy consumption of FLAT FOOT subjects differed significantly from that of normal subjects (the PCI of normal and FLAT arch subjects was 0.357 and 0.368 beats/m, respectively). Usage of FOOT insole improved the performance of the FLAT FOOT subjects during walking.Conclusion: The PCI of subjects affected by FLAT FOOT is more than that of normal subjects due to the misalignment of FOOT structure. Moreover, the application of FOOT insole improved FOOT alignment and decreased energy consumption.

Background: FLAT FOOT is a deformity in which patients lack standard arches in the soles of the FOOT. FLAT FOOT improves with age. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of flexible FLAT FOOT among male school children in Tehran, Iran. Methods: A total of 1539 male school children were included in this study. Students were examined for the FLATness of the sole of the FOOT as well as its degree and type. FLAT FOOT was diagnosed on inspecting a poor formation of the arch. The severity of FLATness was classified according to Denis criteria. Results: Among 1512 children whose FOOT condition was recorded, 80. 7% had normal/grade 1 sole, 16. 7% had 2 nd degree FLAT feet, and rd 2. 6% had 3 degree FLAT feet. Prevalence of genu varum was 16. 1% and prevalence of genu valgum was 2. 7% (P = 0. 504). The prevalence of FLAT FOOT decreased significantly with age,in the group of 11-year-old boys and younger, 23. 1% showed a grade 2 and grade 3 FLAT FOOT, whereas in the group of 12-year-old boys and older, only 13. 6% had a grade 2 and grade 3 FLAT FOOT (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: In this study, a significant relationship was found between weight gain and body mass index (BMI) with FLAT feet. There is a significant association between passing the age of 12 years and a decrease in FLAT FOOT. Also, the association between FLAT FOOT with weight and height of children was examined separately, and it was found that weight could significantly be a poor predictor of FLAT feet.

Objective: FLAT FOOT is common deformity in children that medial longitudinal arch is decreased, which if not treated in childhood may lead to pain and other problems in adulthood. Insoles and orthopedic shoes usually prescribed for treatment of FLAT FOOT in children, but the biomechanical impact of these devices is not yet clear. The purpose of this study is comparison of two conventional orthoses intervention in Iran, including medical shoe and functional FOOT orthosis on static balance by measurement of displacement of center of pressure and cop sway velocity in children with flexible FLAT FOOT.Materials and Methods: This Quasi experimental study were accomplished on 30 children with FLAT FOOT and 10 healthy children for achievement of normal data in healthy children. Children stood unilaterally on force plate of Neurocom and in order to measurement of balance, displacement of center of pressure and COP (Center of Pressure) sway velocity were recorded.Results: The results related to displacement of the center of pressure in a FLAT FOOT showed with insoles and conventional shoe the amount of displacement of center of pressure significantly were reduced (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between orthopedic shoe and functional FOOT orthosis, (p=0.12). Results of COP sway velocity showed in bareFOOT condition COP sway the most and in comparison with orthopedic shoe COP sway velocity were decreased with functional FOOT orthosis and regular shoe (significant level was 0.05).Conclusion: According to result of this study about static balance in FLAT FOOT children, there was no significant different among orthopedic shoe and functional FOOT orthosis. Due to the reduced displacement of center of pressure with functional FOOT orthosis and rejection of orthopedic shoe by children it seems that prescription of functional FOOT orthosis with regular shoe can be properly administered in FLAT FOOT children.

Aims: In subjects with FLATFOOT (also called pes planus), the arch supports (or FOOT orthoses) are used as a protective treatment. Considering the importance of the compensation of FLATFOOT in athletes, this study was conducted aiming at investigating and comparing the effect of FOOT orthoses with and without medial wedge on the energy consumption in runners with FLATFOOT.Methods: This quasi-experimental research of convenience non-probability sampling type was done on 20 athletic men suffering from flexible FLATFOOT on two sides in 2009. Subjects were selected from among the athletes referring to Enqelab sport complex using nonrandomized method. Subjects’ feet were examined to determine and diagnose the presence of any FLATFOOT based on their arcs. Following the preparation of the arch support fitting for each subjects with and without medial wedge, the amount of oxygen consumption, maximum amount of consuming oxygen and the maximum Heart Rate (HR) were measured. Data was analyzed using SPSS 11 software. Moreover, pair T-test was used to compare the results before and after the intervention.Results: The amount of oxygen consumption using arch support with medial wedge (4488.30±78.31) and without medial wedge (4604.60±67.83) had a significant difference (p=0.038). The maximum amount of consuming oxygen of the subject using arch support with medial wedge (54.37±6.62) and without medial wedge (63.60±6.53) had also a significant difference (p=0.024). The difference of the maximum Heart Rate (HR) with medial wedge (153.24±4.29) and without medial wedge (164.48±6.15) was significant (p=0.018).Conclusion: Adding medial wedge to FOOT orthoses can be helpful to decrease energy consumption during running in athletes.

Background and Aims: FLATFOOT is a structural disorder in which the height of medial longitudinal arch are declined and subsequently causes biomechanical changes in FOOT. The common treatment method is the use of medial soles. This study aims to compare the effects of medial soles on Ground Reaction Forces (GRFs) during walking in male athletes with a flexible FLATFOOT. Methods: Participants were 15 male athletes with flexible FLATFOOT (Mean± SD age= 21. 33± 3. 39 years, Mean± SD height=178. 72± 5. 28 cm, and Mean± SD weight= 71. 76± 8. 04 kg). Vertical and anterior-posterior GRFs were evaluated during walking in 3 conditions (bareFOOT, shoe without sole, and shoe with sole). Data analysis was performed in SPSS software using repeated measures ANOVA with and Bonferroni post hoc test, considering the significance level at 0. 05. Results: GRF changed when using shoes with medical soles at both vertical and anterior-posterior directions compared to two other conditions, such that as the heel raised from the ground, GRF increased (P=0. 00) and the vertical GRF decreased at mid-stance phase (P=0. 02). In comparing the anterior-posterior GRF in three conditions, results showed that the posterior force was significantly higher when using shoes with medical soles compared to the bareFOOT condition (P=0. 001), while the difference was not significant for the anterior force (P=1. 16). Conclusion: By controlling the amount of pronation and eversion in the FOOT while walking using sandals with custom medical soles, the pattern of reaction force distribution can be changed at the vertical and anterior-posterior directions compared to the bareFOOT condition, indicating the effect of using a custom medical sole on the force distribution in the sole of the FOOT and subsequently on other joints. Therefore, it is recommended to study the kinetic changes of the joints following the use of medical soles.