COMBINED EFFECT OF ANTI PRONATION TAPING AND GASTROC-SOLEUS COMPLEX STRETCHING ON FLEXIBLE FLAT FOOT: Short Title: Antipronation Taping with Gastrocsoleus Stretching for Flat Foot

Purpose - Muscle imbalance is one of the leading factor causing collapse of the foot arch such as dysfunction of tibialis posterior muscle and tendon which causes tightness of gastroc-soleus complex. Literature background suggests physiotherapy techniques that concentrate shoe modifications, taping and strengthening of intrinsic musculature of the foot. However, the factors such as tight extrinsic muscles of foot that include gastroc-soleus complex are neglected and hence need to be concentrated along with conventional treatment. The objective of the study is to evaluate the combined effect of anti-pronation taping and gastroc-soleus complex stretching in subjects with flexible flat foot. Methods - 24 subjects were screened for flexible flat foot and 20 subjects underwent anti-pronation taping along with Gastroc-Soleus Complex stretch for 1 week and were assessed on Chippuax index, Transmalleolar Axis and Foot Posture Index. The readings were taken pre and post intervention on the specified outcome measures. Results - Chippaux Index and Foot Posture Index scores showed statistically significant changes towards the correction of flat foot (p= 0.0001) whereas Transmalleolar Axis scores were not statistically siginificant(p= 0.6544) Conclusion - Antipronation taping along with gastrocsoleus stretching is an effective combination for flexible flat foot and should be included in the management of flat foot to further prevent complications.