Flatfoot, Foot Deformities, Pes Planus
Conditions
Brief summary
This three-year randomized controlled trial investigated whether wrestling shoes with built-in medial arch support can preserve foot arch structure in adolescent male wrestlers compared to standard wrestling shoes without arch support. A total of 88 adolescent male wrestlers (age 11 at baseline) were randomly assigned to wear either modified wrestling shoes with integrated medial arch support (intervention group, n=44) or standard commercially available wrestling shoes (control group, n=44). Foot posture was assessed annually using the Staheli Arch Index via podoscopy. Plantar pressure distribution was recorded using the Tekscan F-Scan system. The study followed participants for three years. The primary aim was to determine whether medial arch-support wrestling shoes reduce the emergence of flat foot (pes planus) compared with standard wrestling shoes during a critical period of foot development in young athletes.
Interventions
DEVICEMedial Arch-Support Wrestling Shoe
Modified wrestling shoe incorporating a multi-density rubber outsole, integrated medial longitudinal arch support, reinforced heel stabilization with hidden heel pads, structured midfoot midsole, four-way stretch Scuba fabric upper, and adhesive Velcro tape closure system. Designed to redistribute plantar pressure and preserve medial longitudinal arch structure during wrestling training.
DEVICEStandard Wrestling Shoe
Conventional commercially available wrestling shoe featuring a thin flat rubber outsole, hard insole without arch support, tight lacing system, high collar, and rigid non-flexible plastic base. No medial arch support or plantar load redistribution features.
Sponsors
Inonu University
Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Participant blinding was not feasible due to visible shoe differences. Outcome assessors and statistical personnel were blinded to group allocation.
Intervention model description
Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to modified wrestling shoes with medial arch support (intervention) or standard wrestling shoes (control) and followed for three years.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
11 Years to 11 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Registered wrestlers at Regional Boarding Schools (YBO) * Training frequency of 3 or more days per week * No lower extremity injury within the preceding 6 months * No current orthopedic insole use * Normal foot posture at baseline
Exclusion criteria
* Prior lower extremity surgery * Neurological disorders * Rheumatological disorders * Severe congenital foot deformity * Current orthopedic insole use * Existing foot deformity at baseline
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Posture Classification (Staheli Arch Index) | Baseline, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 | Foot posture was classified annually using the Staheli Arch Index (SAI) assessed via podoscopy. Classifications: normal (SAI 0.45-0.89), flexible pes planus (SAI 0.90-1.00), and rigid pes planus (SAI ≥1.01, confirmed by Jack Toe Raise Test). Between-group differences were evaluated using Fisher's exact test with Bonferroni correction. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plantar Pressure Distribution | Year 3 | Dynamic plantar pressure distribution was recorded using the Tekscan F-Scan system (3000E sensors, 100 Hz) during 30-second walking trials on a UWW-approved mat. Pressure maps were evaluated qualitatively for midfoot contact area and center of pressure trajectory. |
| Standing Height | Baseline, Year 1, Year 2 | Standing height (cm) was measured using a calibrated stadiometer at each assessment point. Between-group differences were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA (group × time). |
| Body Mass | Baseline, Year 1, Year 2 | Body mass (kg) was measured using a calibrated scale at each assessment point. Between-group differences were analyzed using mixed-design ANOVA (group × time). |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMahmut Açak
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University
Outcome results
None listed