Effectiveness of Plyometric Exercises Versus Flatfoot Corrective Exercises on Balance and Foot Posture in Obese Children with a Flexible Flatfoot: A Comparative Study

In obese children aged 7–11 years with flexible flatfoot, an 8-week plyometric program improved balance more than flatfoot corrective exercises, with median center-of-pressure path length increasing from 30.39 cm to 37.45 cm (p < 0.001).

• Why it matters: Childhood obesity is linked to flexible flatfoot that can impair foot posture and balance, yet comparative evidence between plyometric and traditional corrective training in this specific group is limited.
• What they did: A parallel, non-randomized comparative study in Bengaluru assigned 120 children to plyometric exercises (n = 60) or flatfoot corrective exercises (n = 60) for 8 weeks, assessing FPI-6 and static balance via BTrackS before and after.
• The result: Both groups improved foot posture and balance after 8 weeks (p < 0.001), and plyometrics showed slightly better left-foot posture improvement (p = 0.028) alongside larger balance gains.

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