Abstract
High-heeled shoes adversely affect spinal curvature, increase the risk of low back pain, and disturb the normal gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to examine, from a biopsychosocial point of view, the combined effect of wearing two different heel heights and of hormonal oscillation throughout different phases of the menstrual cycle on spinopelvic alignment. Notably, 70 females with an average age of 20.42 ± 1.51 years participated in this study, wearing each female two different heel heights as follows: low (2.5 cm) and high (7 cm). Spinopelvic alignment was evaluated by rasterstereography formetric 3D analysis during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) on spinopelvic alignment [kyphotic angle (KA), trunk inclination (TI), and pelvic inclination] between wearing low- or high-heeled shoes during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Considering that high-heeled shoes are traditionally associated with femininity, body image, beauty, and charm, this research has important biopsychosocial implications that should be explored in detail in future studies.
Highlights
High heels adversely affect the kinematics and kinetics of body structures from toes to the spine (Barnish and Barnish, 2016)
This study aimed to explore, from a biopsychosocial point of view, the combined effect of two different heel heights and hormonal oscillation throughout different menstrual cycle phases, in young adult women, on thoracic kyphosis, trunk inclination (TI), and pelvic inclination
The findings of this study showed that there were no significant changes of Kyphotic angle (KA), TI, and pelvic inclination while wearing low- (2.5 cm) and high-heeled shoes (7 cm) during early follicular, ovulatory, and mid-luteal phases
Summary
High heels adversely affect the kinematics and kinetics of body structures from toes to the spine (Barnish and Barnish, 2016). Frequent wearing of high heels can cause long-lasting changes of body alignment in both adolescents and young adults, in addition to malposition of the spinal curvature and the lower limbs. The menstrual cycle is characterized by oscillations of sex hormones, mainly estradiol and progesterone, in fertile females (Neill et al, 2009). As estrogen and progesterone receptors are present in bone, ligaments, skeletal muscle, and the nervous system, it has been suggested that the hormonal level changes throughout different menstrual phases may affect the structure and function of these tissues, increasing the risk of injuries and affecting female physical performance (Casey et al, 2014)
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