Evaluation of the effect of biomechanical plantar stimuli of different thicknesses (INTERNAL BAND) on knee flexion and postural control

Abstract

Introduction The flat foot (FF) is a very frequent reason for consultation in clinical posturology. The aim of FF management is to refocus the anteroposterior axis of the foot and to minimize the effects of pronation on stability. In this context, we hypothesized that biomechanical plantar stimuli such as “Internal Band” (BI®) could change knee flexion and postural control by correcting the FF. Methods Fourteen healthy subjects (33\xa0±\xa07 years) were evaluated in the Navicular drop test: 5 were classified as abnormal PP (NDTA) and 9 as normal foot (NDTN). Four conditions were compared: BI® 0 (Ctrl),\xa01 (BI1), 3 (BI3) and 6\xa0mm (BI6). Knee flexion was measured with a smartphone (Goniometer pro®) and four variables were computed from the CoP displacements. Results A difference between conditions (ANOVA) was observed for three of the four variables computed: the LFS, the sagittal (Y) mean position of CoP and the variance of speed of CoP. Post-hoc tests showed a difference in BI 3 condition for all subjects, and in BI 3 and BI 6 for NDTA subjects. In addition, a change in knee flexion was observed between Ctrl and BI 1 conditions, and between BI 3 and BI 6 conditions. Conclusion Using BI® contributes to changing knee flexion and postural control in correcting the FF.