The Effect of Strength Exercise Program on the Hip Lateral Rotator Muscles on Correcting Pronated Abductor Foot

Muscle activity of the hip has been shown to influence movement of the lower
extremity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of six weeks of strength
exercise program on the hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles when correcting
excessive foot pronation. 30 male subjects (age: 21.63±2.0 yr, weight: 71.93±7.62
kg, height: 177.33±7.52 cm, BMI: 22.81+0.99 with excessive foot pronation) were
purposefully selected and participated in this semi-experimental study. Foot
pronation was estimated through measuring valgus angle and those subjects with
an angle>10° were divided into experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups.
Before the beginning of the strength program, foot pronation was measured by a
goniometer and the strength of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles were
assessed using hand-held dynamometer. The experimental group participated in
strength training program for the proximal muscles of lower extremity three days a
week for six weeks. The control group continued their daily activity. After the
program, muscle strength and the angle of foot pronation were measured again.
Independent and paired t tests were used to analyze the data (p?0.05). The results
showed no significant difference in foot pronation in pretest between two groups
while a significant difference was observed in the posttest. A significant difference
was observed in the strength of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles and foot
pronation between pretest and posttest for the experimental group while no
significant difference was observed in the control group. The results showed the
effectiveness of strength training program to decrease and correct excessive foot
pronation.