The attention needed for balance controlling in young patients with flatfoot

Regarding to the importance of foot in maintenance of balance, it seems that flat foot can affect complex postural and balance control. In this study dual-task paradigm has been used to investigate the amount of attention needed for balance controlling in patients with flat foot than subjects with normal foot arch.
30 participants (15 male &15 female, mean ages 22/30±2/61 years) with flat foot and 30 participants (15 male &15 female, mean ages 22.30 ± 1.70 years) with normal foot arch were placed in two groups. Static & Dynamic balance tests were performed by Biodex Balance System SD under condition of single leg stance, in two forms of open and closed eyes. Measured parameters were total, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral stability indices.
The within group comparison of single and dual tasks in control and flatfoot groups in static (open & closed eyes) and dynamic (open eyes) balance tests did not show any significant differences (P>.0.05). The within group comparison of single and dual tasks in two groups in dynamic balance condition with closed eyes showed significant differences (P The participants with flat foot have equal attentional demands in balance control compared to participants with normal foot arch.