The effect of posture exercises on foot posture and musculoskeletal system disorders in second trimester pregnant women

Anatomical, physiological and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy lead to postural adaptations and pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of posture exercises on foot posture and musculoskeletal disorders in second trimester pregnant women. 50 pregnant women aged between 18-35 years were included in the study. Pregnant women were divided into two groups as study group and control group. Pregnant women in the control group were given posture training only for the correct use of body mechanics, while the pregnant women in the study group were given posture exercises twice a week for 6 weeks in addition to posture training. Demographic and clinical information was recorded by questioning the demographic information form prepared by the researcher. The foot posture was evaluated with Harris Mat. Footprint measurements were made by using Staheli index measurement method using Harris Mat. Posture analysis was performed with the New York Posture Evaluation Method and musculoskeletal disorders were performed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal System Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Statistical significance level was accepted as p <0,05. As a result of the measurements, a significant difference was found between the 1st and 2nd measurements of the right and left foot measurements (p<0,05). when comparing the foot measurements, there was no statistically significant difference between the exercise and control groups (p> 0.05). The body of the pregnant women were examined in 13 different parts and posture changes were observed in both groups as a result of evaluating postural changes with NYPDY. It was seen that there was a significant difference between the total score values of the pregnant women in the exercise and control groups with NYPDY (p <0.05). When NYPDY total scores of the groups were compared, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p <0.05). Musculoskeletal pain complaints were seen in both groups. The most common complaints in the exercise group were low back and back pain (72.73%). The most common complaints in the control group were low back pain (100%), back pain (86.36%), and hip pain (59.09%). When the pain complaints of the groups were compared, the results were found to be clinically significant, but statistically significant differences were found only between the groups (p <0.05). According to the results of the study, postural changes observed during pregnancy continued in the study process and pain complaints occurred in both groups. The control group had higher scores in postural changes and musculoskeletal disorders than in the exercise group. As a result, it was found that the foot posture was impaired in all pregnant women in the second trimester and there were pain complaints in the waist area of the participants who did not do posture exercise.