Suh D.J.1, Lee D.H.2, Jang Y.U.2
1Dong-A University, Physiology, Busan, Korea (South), 2U1 University, Physical Therapy, Yeongdong-gun, Korea (South)
Background: Young people typically use shoe height-increasing insoles to appear taller. Height insoles also retain the ankles in a plantar flexion position, which places the mechanical state of the ankles in the open-packed position and can have negative effects on balance ability.
Purpose: The present study examined the effects of ankle exercises on improving the balance ability of an individual wearing height-increasing insoles.
Methods: Thirty adults in their 20s, who were students, were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group (n=15/group). Height-adjustable silicon insoles measuring 3, 5, and 7 cm were used. The experimental group participated in a total of 12 sessions of an exercise program, which was performed three times per week for four weeks. The program consisted of stretching exercises, resistance training, and a balance exercise. Subjects were asked to stand on one leg on the platform of the Biodex Balance System for 30 s whilst wearing a blindfold and crossing both arms, with both hands placed on the shoulders. Balance ability was assessed three times, before the exercise program and after the exercise program.
Results: A significant improvement was detected in the balance ability of the experimental group in all height-increasing insole subgroups (3, 5, and 7 cm) after the exercise program as compared with before the exercise program (p 0.05). There was no significant improvement in the balance ability of the control group in any of the height insole subgroups (3, 5 and, and 7 cm) after the exercise program as compared with before the exercise program (p>0.05). The experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in balance ability following the exercise program for all the height insoles as compared with the control group (p 0.05).
Conclusion(s): According to the results of this study, active ankle exercises are helpful in preventing ankle joint damage, as they improve balance ability.
Implications: According to the results of the present study, active ankle exercises may be helpful in preventing ankle joint damage, as they improve balance ability. These findings may also be applied to people who wear high-heeled shoes.
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing
Ethics approval: Ethical approval for the present study was granted by the Institutional Review Board of U1 University.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
