OBJECTIVE: Symptomatic flat foot is quite a common pathology in adults. Myofascial release is one of the physiotherapeutic methods that are currently very often used in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases. This study aimed to assess the impact of myofascial release on the range of motion and functional efficiency of the flat foot in adults. METHOD: The study involved 60 people with flat feet allocated to four groups and subjected to therapy lasting four weeks: group MRE (Myofascial Release and Exercises; 15 people): myofascial techniques and an exercise programme; group MR (Myofascial Release; 15 people): only myofascial techniques; group E (Exercises; 15 people): only an exercise programme; and the control group C (Control; 15 people): no intervention. Goniometric measurements of the range of motion of the ankle joint and the Foot and Ankle Outcomes Questionnaire (FAOQ) were used to evaluate the effects of the therapy. RESULTS: The range of all tested movements significantly improved after therapy in both feet simultaneously in groups MRE (left foot: dorsiflexion p = 0.017; plantar flexion p = 0.006; inversion p = 0.003; and eversion p = 0.001; right foot: dorsiflexion p = 0.008; plantar flexion p = 0.003; inversion p = 0.008; and eversion p = 0.004) and MR (left foot: dorsiflexion p = 0.001; plantar flexion p = 0.001; inversion p = 0.001; and eversion p = 0.001; right foot: dorsiflexion p = 0.001; plantar flexion p = 0.002; inversion p = 0.001; and eversion p = 0.029). The FAOQ results were significantly better after therapy in groups MRE (p = 0.010), MR (p = 0.001) and E (p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: In the people studied, the combination of myofascial techniques and exercises (MRE) was the most effective for improving the tested ranges of motion of the ankle joint. Myofascial techniques had a significant impact on the performance of the feet assessed with the FAOQ.

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