Abstract
Background Thong style flip-flop footwear (TH) and sandals are the preferred footwear of 22% of Australian children, however little is known about the effects of wearing TH on the growing child [1]. Previous research has shown TH reduces children’s hallux dorsiflexion prior to contact during walking and jogging and at toe-off whilst jogging [2]. Adult studies have shown TH alters barefoot motion with reduced eversion [3] and reduce peak plantar-pressure at the hallux, metatarsal heads and calcaneus [4]. The influence of TH on children’s midfoot kinematics may have important ramifications for children’s developing feet. This study aims to describe the effect of TH on children’s midfoot motion during walking and jogging. Materials and methods Seven healthy children, mean age 10.47±1.98 years were recruited from Sydney Australia. Participants conducted five walking trials and five jogging trials while barefoot and wearing TH in random order. A fourteen camera, three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic data. Markers located at navicular, first
Highlights
Thong style flip-flop footwear (TH) and sandals are the preferred footwear of 22% of Australian children, little is known about the effects of wearing TH on the growing child [1]
Materials and methods Seven healthy children, mean age 10.47±1.98 years were recruited from Sydney Australia
A repeated measure ANOVA found no significant effect of thongs while walking when compared to barefoot a trend was seen towards a more dorsiflexed, everted and abducted midfoot
Summary
Thong style flip-flop footwear (TH) and sandals are the preferred footwear of 22% of Australian children, little is known about the effects of wearing TH on the growing child [1]. Previous research has shown TH reduces children’s hallux dorsiflexion prior to contact during walking and jogging and at toe-off whilst jogging [2]. Adult studies have shown TH alters barefoot motion with reduced eversion [3] and reduce peak plantar-pressure at the hallux, metatarsal heads and calcaneus [4]. The influence of TH on children’s midfoot kinematics may have important ramifications for children’s developing feet. This study aims to describe the effect of TH on children’s midfoot motion during walking and jogging
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