Abstract
BackgroundMembers of the Maasai tribe spend their days either barefoot or wearing traditional shoes made from recycled car tires. Although they walk long distances (up to 60 km) daily, they do not generally experience foot ailments. Here, we compared parameters associated with the feet, ankles, and gait of middle-aged women in Korea and the Maasai tribe.MethodsFoot length, calf circumference, hindfoot alignment, step length, cadence, and walking velocity were compared among 20 middle-aged Korean and bush-living Maasai women. Static and dynamic Harris mat footprints were taken to determine the distribution of forefoot pressure patterns during walking. We also compared several radiographic parameters with standing foot and ankle radiographs.ResultsThe mean foot length and width were significantly longer in Maasai women. Interestingly, 38 ft (96 %) in the Maasai group showed a claw deformity of the toe (s). There were no statistically significant differences in gait-related indices and Harris mat findings between the two groups. On radiographic analysis, tibial anterior surface angle, tibial lateral surface angle, talonavicular coverage angle, talo-first metatarsal angle, Meary angle, and naviculo-cuboidal overlap were significantly greater in the Maasai group, whereas hallux valgus angle and the first and second intermetatarsal angle were greater in the Korean group.ConclusionsMiddle-aged women from the Maasai tribe showed a higher prevalence of abducted forefeet, everted hindfeet, and fallen medial longitudinal arches than did Korean women, while Korean women showed a higher prevalence of hallux valgus, a preserved medial longitudinal arch, and toes that are free from claw deformity.
Highlights
Members of the Maasai tribe spend their days either barefoot or wearing traditional shoes made from recycled car tires
In the Maasai group, four participants had an excessively low arch (
The most common hindfoot alignment was valgus in both groups, which was pronounced in the Maasai group but not statistically significantly so
Summary
Members of the Maasai tribe spend their days either barefoot or wearing traditional shoes made from recycled car tires. They walk long distances (up to 60 km) daily, they do not generally experience foot ailments. We compared parameters associated with the feet, ankles, and gait of middle-aged women in Korea and the Maasai tribe. Most people would not consider walking without shoes for even 1 day. Shoes protect the feet from harmful objects on the ground while an individual is walking and running. Kadambande et al [1] mentioned that shod feet appeared to have a significant reduction in pliability compared to the unshod foot. Sim-Fook and Hodgson [2] reported that the foot in its natural unrestricted form was mobile and
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