Influence Of High-heeled Shoes Research Articles

The influence of high heeled shoes on balance ability and walking in healthy women.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of high heeled shoes on balance ability and walking on healthy women. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty healthy female subjects, without orthopedic history of the lower extremity were selected for the present study. The 3 cm, 6 cm, and 9 cm shoes were worn according to the prescribed order to perform a balance and walking test. [Results] Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in all variance, and as the result of post hoc test. Time, anterior-posterior length and medial-lateral length of balance variables as well as velocity of walking variables showed a significant increase between 3 cm and 6 cm, 6 cm and 9 cm, 3 cm and 9 cm. In addition, the balance index of the balance variables as well as the step length and single support ratio of the walking variables showed a significant decrease between 3 cm and 6 cm, 6 cm and 9 cm, 3 cm and 9 cm. [Conclusion] It was found that the higher the shoe heel height, the lower the balance and the less the efficiency of walking.

The influence of high heeled shoes on balance ability and walking in healthy women.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of high heeled shoes on balance ability and walking on healthy women. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty healthy female subjects, without orthopedic history of the lower extremity were selected for the present study. The 3 cm, 6 cm, and 9 cm shoes were worn according to the prescribed order to perform a balance and walking test. [Results] Significant difference was shown after the experiment, in comparison of the groups in all variance, and as the result of post hoc test. Time, anterior-posterior length and medial-lateral length of balance variables as well as velocity of walking variables showed a significant increase between 3 cm and 6 cm, 6 cm and 9 cm, 3 cm and 9 cm. In addition, the balance index of the balance variables as well as the step length and single support ratio of the walking variables showed a significant decrease between 3 cm and 6 cm, 6 cm and 9 cm, 3 cm and 9 cm. [Conclusion] It was found that the higher the shoe heel height, the lower the balance and the less the efficiency of walking.

The influence of high-heeled shoes on strain and tension force of the anterior talofibular ligament and plantar fascia during balanced standing and walking

High-heeled shoes have the capability to alter the strain and tension of ligamentous structures between the foot and ankle, which may result in ankle instability. However, high-heeled shoes can also reduce the strain on plantar fascia, which may be beneficial for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. In this study, the influence of heel height on strain and tension force applied to the anterior talofibular ligament (ATL) and plantar fascia were investigated.A three-dimensional finite element model of coupled foot–ankle–shoe complex was constructed. Four heel heights were studied in balanced standing: 0 in. (0cm), 1 in. (2.54cm), 2 in. (5.08cm), and 3 in. (7.62cm). A walking analysis was performed using 2-in. (5.08cm) high-heeled shoes.During balanced standing, the tension force on the ATL increased from 14.8N to 97.0N, with a six-fold increase in strain from 0 in. to 3 in. (0–7.62cm). The tension force and the average strain on the plantar fascia decreased from 151.0N (strain: 0.74%) to 59.6N (strain: 0.28%) when the heel height increased from 0 in. to 2 in. (0–5.08cm). When heel height reached 3 in. (7.62cm), the force and average strain increased to 278.3N (strain: 1.33%). The walking simulation showed that the fascia stretched out while the ATL loading decreased during push off. The simulation outcome demonstrated the influence of heel height on ATL alteration and plantar fascia strain, which implies risks for ankle injury and suggests guidance for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

The Influence of High-heeled Shoes on Kinematics and Kinetics of the Knee Joint during Sit-to-stand task

The Influence of High-heeled Shoes on Kinematics and Kinetics of the Knee Joint during Sit-to-stand task

Análise do arco longitudinal medial em adolescentes usuárias de calçados de salto alto

O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a influência do calçado de salto alto no arco longitudinal medial (ALM) do pé de adolescentes. Fizeram parte do estudo 82 adolescentes entre 13 e 20 anos, sendo 54 não usuárias (grupo controle - GC) e 28 usuárias (grupo experimental - GE) de calçado de salto alto. Foram obtidas as impressões plantares de ambos os pés para análise do ALM, antes e depois do uso de um calçado de salto alto padronizado por um período de 30 minutos. As impressões plantares foram avaliadas pelo índice de Chippaux-Smirak (ICS) e pelo arco de Cavanagh & Rodgers (ICR). O teste de Shapiro-Wilks foi utilizado para a verificação da normalidade dos dados. Variáveis paramétricas pareadas foram tratadas com o Teste t de Student pareado e as não-paramétricas com o teste de Wilcoxon. As comparações não-pareadas foram realizadas com o teste t de Student para as variáveis paramétricas e o de Mann-Withney para as não-paramétricas, com nível de significância de 0,05. Houve diferença no ALM entre os lados direito e esquerdo apenas no GC antes do uso do calçado. Na comparação entre antes e depois do uso do sapato, notou-se diferença apenas no pé esquerdo do GC pelo ICS. Já entre GC e GE, não houve diferença. Apesar dos resultados não evidenciarem alterações no ALM, deve-se lembrar que esta é uma medida estática, sendo necessários estudos do componente dinâmico e do uso do calçado de salto crônico para correlacionar com os achados deste trabalho.

The Influence of High Heeled Shoes on Kinematics, Kinetics, and Muscle EMG of Normal Female Gait

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a graded response in gait kinematics, kinetics, and EMG occurs as shoe heel height increases. Four different shoes, including one flat shoe and three shoes with high heels, were tested in this investigation. The average heel heights of the four shoes were 1.4 cm, 3.7 cm, 5.4 cm, and 8.5 cm. Kinematics, kinetics, and muscle EMG were measured during the stance phase of gait on 13 healthy female subjects while wearing each of these 4 shoes. Systematic increases in the active vertical, propulsive, and braking forces were found as shoe height increased. Ankle and knee flexion and soleus and rectus femoris activity showed a graded response as heel height increased. One surprising result was the behavior of the maximal vertical impact force peak and the maximal loading rate during heel impact. The vertical impact force peaks and the maximal vertical loading rates were highest for the shoe with 3.7 cm heel height and lowest for the flat shoe and the shoe with heel height of 8.5 cm.