IS THERE ANY EFFECT OF THE SEVERITY OF FLEXIBLE PES PLANUS ON THE BALANCE PERFORMANCE IN ELITE GYMNASTS?

Abstract

Flexibility is an important component of athleticism in gymnasts' training, as its insufficient development can significantly complicate the process of formation of specific skills and movement coordination and limit the possibility of manifesting and increasing strength and speed abilities (Дейнеко & Біленька, 2021). The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of the severity of FPP on balance performance in different planes (frontal, sagittal and overall balance) in the Turkish national youth team. This study is a prospective and double-blinded cohort study conducted in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University. The evaluation protocol consists of two main phases: first, the measurement of joint positions or angles (subtalar joint position, subtalar joint angle, first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) extension angle and tibia-femoral angle measurement), second, the measurement of balance. 20 participants aged 13-18 years, male and female, from the Turkish national youth gymnastics team were included in this study. Linear regression analysis was performed to determine whether there is an effect of severity of FPP on balance performance. There is no clear effect of FPP severity on balance performance in youth gymnastics at the national level. However, some evaluations show significant associations in the frontal plane in relation to the mediolateral stability index. None of the assessments showed a significant association with the anteroposterior stability index.