Immediate Effects of Plantar Fascia Release Combined With Foot Exercises on FMS Subscores in Young Adults With Pes Planus

NCT07664332 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-095
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 29
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized crossover clinical study aims to investigate the immediate effects of plantar fascia release combined with foot exercises on Functional Movement Screen sub-scores in physically active young adults with pes planus. Participants aged 18-35 years with pes planus, determined by the Navicular Drop Test, will complete two different intervention protocols in a randomized order. Protocol A will include foot-core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching. Protocol B will include the same foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching, with the addition of plantar fascia myofascial release. Each participant will receive both interventions on separate sessions, with a 24-hour washout period between sessions. Functional movement quality will be assessed using two Functional Movement Screen subtests: Deep Squat and Hurdle Step. These tests will be performed before and after each intervention session to evaluate acute changes in movement performance. The main hypothesis of the study is that plantar fascia myofascial release combined with foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching will produce greater immediate improvements in Functional Movement Screen Deep Squat and Hurdle Step scores compared with foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching alone.

Conditions

Pes Planus; FMS

Keywords

Pes Planus; Functional Movement Screen; Plantar Facia; Deep squat; Hurdle Step

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Functional Movement Screen Hurdle Step Score

  The Hurdle Step subtest of the Functional Movement Screen will be used to assess single-leg balance, hip stability, knee control, and ankle stability. Scores ranges from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating better movement quality. The change from pre-intervention to post-intervention will be compared between protocols.

  Before intervention and 1 hour after intervention in each session

• Change in Functional Movement Screen Deep Squat Score

  The Deep Squat subtest of the Functional Movement Screen will be used to assess functional movement quality involving the lower extremities, trunk, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles. Scores range from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating better movement quality. The change from pre-intervention to post-intervention will be compared between protocols.

  Before intervention and 1 hour after intervention in each session

Study Arms (2)

Protocol A

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive Protocol A, which includes foot core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching. In the randomized crossover design, Protocol A may be administered either in the first session or in the second session, depending on the randomized intervention order. FMS Deep Squat and Hurdle Step scores will be assessed before and after the intervention session.

Other: Protocol A: Foot core Exercises and Plantar Facia Streching

Protocol B

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive Protocol B, which includes foot core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching and plantar fascia myofascial release. In the randomized crossover design, Protocol B may be administered either in the first session or in the second session, depending on the randomized intervention order. FMS Deep Squat and Hurdle Step scores will be assessed before and after the intervention session.

Other: Protocol B: Foot Core Exercises, Plantar Fascia Stretching, and Myofascial Release

Interventions

Protocol B: Foot Core Exercises, Plantar Fascia Stretching, and Myofascial Release OTHER

Protocol B consists of all components of Protocol A, including foot core exercises and plantar fascia stretching, with the addition of plantar fascia myofascial release. Myofascial release will be applied manually along the plantar fascia from the calcaneal region toward the metatarsal heads, with pressure adjusted according to participant tolerance. This protocol may be administered in either the first or second session according to the randomized crossover order.

Protocol B

Protocol A: Foot core Exercises and Plantar Facia Streching OTHER

Protocol A consists of foot core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching. Foot core exercises include short foot exercise, towel curl, toe spread, great toe extension, and reverse tandem walking. Plantar fascia stretching will be performed using a plantar fascia-specific stretching technique. This protocol may be administered in either the first or second session according to the randomized crossover order.

Protocol A

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Being between 18 and 35 years of age
• Voluntarily agreeing to participate in the study and providing written informed consent
• Having pes planus according to the Navicular Drop Test result
• Having the cognitive ability to understand and perform the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test instructions
• Being classified as sufficiently physically active according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), defined as at least 1,500 MET-min/week of vigorous-intensity activity or at least 3,000 MET-min/week of moderate-intensity activity
• Having no history of lower-extremity surgery within the previous 6 months
• Having no history of lower-extremity injury or disability within the previous 6 months
• Agreeing to complete the study protocol over two days

You may not qualify if:

• Having a history of ankle sprain, particularly recurrent ankle sprains
• Presence of hallux valgus deformity
• Presence of hammer toe deformity
• Presence of generalized ligamentous laxity
• Having a history of systemic disease, such as rheumatic, neurological, or metabolic disorders
• Presence of ongoing lower-extremity pain
• Having any orthopedic or neurological condition that may prevent the safe performance of the Functional Movement Screen tests

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Healt Sciences, Gülhane Faculty ofHealth Sciences

Ankara, Ankara, 06018, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Sulowska I, Oleksy L, Mika A, Bylina D, Soltan J. The Influence of Plantar Short Foot Muscle Exercises on Foot Posture and Fundamental Movement Patterns in Long-Distance Runners, a Non-Randomized, Non-Blinded Clinical Trial. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 23;11(6):e0157917. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157917. eCollection 2016.

  PMID: 27336689 RESULT

• Soni J, Sawant S, Shah S. Efficacy of Core Stability Exercises and Intrinsic Foot Training on Patients With Flat Foot: A Comparative Study. Cureus. 2025 Oct 29;17(10):e95659. doi: 10.7759/cureus.95659. eCollection 2025 Oct.

  PMID: 41194844 RESULT

• Richman ED, Tyo BM, Nicks CR. Combined Effects of Self-Myofascial Release and Dynamic Stretching on Range of Motion, Jump, Sprint, and Agility Performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Jul;33(7):1795-1803. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002676.

  PMID: 29912081 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Flatfoot

Interventions

Myofascial Release Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Talipes; Foot Deformities, Acquired; Foot Deformities; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Foot Deformities, Congenital; Lower Extremity Deformities, Congenital; Limb Deformities, Congenital; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities; Congenital Abnormalities; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Massage; Therapy, Soft Tissue; Musculoskeletal Manipulations; Complementary Therapies; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Rehabilitation

Central Study Contacts

Emre S Atalay, PhD

CONTACT

+90 544 405 18 24; emreserdar.atalay@sbu.edu.tr

Büşra ERYİĞİT, PT

CONTACT

905396570877; busraeryigit00@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The outcomes assessor will be blinded to the intervention sequence. Participants and care providers cannot be blinded due to the nature of the exercise and manual therapy interventions.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: CROSSOVER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Participants will receive both intervention protocols in a randomized order. One protocol includes foot core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching, and the other protocol includes foot core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching and plantar fascia myofascial release. A 24-hour wash-out period will be used between the two sessions.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 17, 2026
• First Posted: June 24, 2026
• Study Start: July 18, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 14, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 14, 2026
• Last Updated: June 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)