The Effects of 12 Weeks of Systematic and Functional Corrective Exercises on Body Posture of Students Suffering From Pronation Distortion Syndrome

Objectives: Pronation distortion syndrome is one of the common physical deformities, that causes distortions in the skeletal structures of the feet. The current study aimed to determine the effects of 12 weeks of systematic and functional corrective exercises on the body posture of students with pronation distortion syndrome. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 volunteers suffering from pronation distortion syndrome were selected. Then, they were randomly divided into two 15-member groups, i.e. the experimental and the control groups. The experimental group practiced systematic and functional corrective exercises for 12 weeks (three sessions a week, each lasting an hour), while the control group did not receive any exercises. Before and after the exercises, the students were evaluated using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) screening test as well as body posture tests, including flat feet, pronation angle of ankle joint, knock-knee (bow-leggedness or genu valgum), and lumbar lordosis (swayback). The obtained data were analyzed using the dependent and independent t-tests (P<0.05). Results: After 12 weeks of systematic and functional corrective exercises, the experimental group showed significant improvement in FMS and body posture (P=0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the control group (P<0.05). In general, the body posture of the experimental group was significantly better than the control group (P=0.001). Discussion: Based on the findings of the current study, systematic and functional corrective exercises improve the body posture of students suffering from pronation distortion syndrome. Therefore, these exercises are recommended for such students.