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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07132424

Relationship Between Foot Posture, Toe Flexor Strength, and Balance in Adolescents

The foot plays a critical role in movement and postural control, with toe flexor strength linked to gait, performance, and stability. While these relationships are well studied in adults, evidence in adolescents is limited. Pes planovalgus may reduce push-off capacity and weaken postural responses through decreased toe muscle strength. This study aims to examine the relationship between foot posture, toe flexor strength, and balance, focusing on anterior-posterior center of pressure changes in adolescents.

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Key information

Conditions

Adolescent Balance Assessment Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Flat Foot Acquired Bilateral (Pes Planus) Flatfoot Foot Deformities Foot Deformities, Acquired Foot Deformities, Congenital Foot Posture Index Score Limb Deformities, Congenital Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital Musculoskeletal Abnormalities Musculoskeletal Diseases Talipes Toe Flexor Strength

Age range

12 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Istanbul Kultur University Motion Analysis Center

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

The foot, as the most distal part of the kinetic chain in contact with the ground, plays a key role in body movements and maneuvers. Toe flexor strength has been linked to gait speed, physical performance, and functional ability. Toe orientation and stability influence the center of pressure and surface adaptation, with the hallux being particularly important for postural control during weight shifts. While the relationship between toe strength and postural sway is established in adults, evidence in children and adolescents is limited. Pes planovalgus, characterized by a lowered medial longitudinal arch, can impair push-off mechanics and is associated with weaker toe muscles and poorer postural responses. However, the effect of foot posture and toe strength on anterior-posterior center of pressure changes-a marker of dynamic balance-remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the relationship between foot posture, toe flexor strength, balance, and postural control in adolescents.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adolescents aged 12-18 years, who have provided informed consent from both their guardian and themselves, will be included.

Exclusion criteria

  • Individuals with acute lower extremity injury or pain
  • Individuals with a history of lower extremity injury
  • Individuals with leg length discrepancy
  • Individuals diagnosed with scoliosis

Treatment and study plan

Assesment

Procedure

Foot posture, toe muscle strength and balance assesment

Primary outcomes

  1. Balance

    Time frame: Baseline

    Anterior-posterior (AP) center-of-pressure displacement and velocity will be calculated by collecting data with 2 force plates.

  2. Foot Posture

    Time frame: Baseline

    Foot posture index - 6 will be used to determine foot posture of participants.

  3. Toe muscle strength

    Time frame: Baseline

    Hallux and lesser toe flexor muscle strength will be assessed with a dynamometer while seated and pushing against it.

  4. Navicular drop

    Time frame: Baseline

    Navicular drop will be used to assess foot posture.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Istanbul Kültür University

Other

Collaborators

  • Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Registry information

Official study title

Determining the Relationship Between Foot Posture, Toe Flexor Strength, and Balance and Postural Control in Adolescents

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Aug 20, 2025
Registry last updated
Oct 2, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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