Background Recent research has found that strengthening hip joint stability can considerably affect foot mechanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of short foot exercises (SFEs), combined exercises (CEs), and SFEs with isometric hip abduction (IHA) on navicular drop (ND), static parameters (SP), and postural sway in women with flat foot (FF). Methods This study recruited 45 women with flexible FF. The participants were divided into three groups: the CEs group, who performed a series of strengthening, stretching, and balancing exercises, the SFEs group, and the SFEs with IHA group. The groups carried out their assigned regimens daily for six weeks. ND, SP, and postural sway (center of pressure (CoP) parameters) were measured using the ND test and pedoscan device. The data was analysed using a repeated-measures ANOVA statistical test (p≤0.05). Results The results showed that all three groups decreased in ND, surface, and foot rotation in the post-test compared to the pre-test (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the maximum pressure (P = 0.616) and anteroposterior fluctuations (P = 0.065) of the CEs group. Both SFEs and SFEs with IHA groups showed a reduction in all CoP parameters. When comparing the ND (P = 0.22) and mediolateral sway (P = 0.035) of the SFEs with IHA group, a significant difference was observed compared to the CEs group. Additionally, the SFEs with IHA group had a higher percentage of changes in all variables compared to the other two groups. Conclusions SFEs with IHA appear more effective than other training methods in reducing ND and decreasing CoP oscillations and stance parameters. Future studies should investigate the long-term effect of this exercise protocol.
