Effects of Core–Lower Limb Coordinated Pilates on Gait and Balance in Women with Flexible Pes Planus: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:Although flexible pes planus is associated with impaired gait and balance, studies utilizing Pilates exercise as an intervention for the rehabilitation of flexible flatfoot are lacking.Objective: To examine the effects of core–lower limb coordinated Pilates exercise on gait and balance in women with flexible pes planus.Methods: The study included 22 healthy women with bilateral flatfoot who had a navicular drop of ≥10 mm. The participants were randomly allocated to the Pilates training (PTG, n=11) and non-training (n=11) groups. Temporal gait parameters (foot-off, step time, stride time, walking speed, and cadence) and balance parameters (range, velocity, and root mean square (RMS) in the center of pressure (COP) anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) directions) were assessed. The exercise intervention consisted of two sessions every week over an 8-week period, with pre- and post-intervention assessments. Results: All 22 participants successfully completed the program. Statistical analysis in the gait assessment indicated significant disparities between the groups (p&lt;0.05). Post-intervention, the PTG showed significant improvements in all gait parameters (p&lt;0.05) and significant reduction in the center of pressure sway (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: Our findings indicate that an 8-week core–lower limb coordinated Pilates exercise program has beneficial effects on gait and balance in women with flexible pes planus. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.<br><br>