Change of In-Shoe Plantar Pressure According to Types of Shoes (Flat Shoes, Running Shoes, and High Heels)

Abstract

Background The type of footwear is one of several factors that affect foot pressure. Despite its usefulness in identifying pathology and preventing and treating foot-related diseases, the type of shoes has been investigated and compared in only a few studies. This study aimed to investigate differences in plantar pressure, induced by flat, running, and high-heeled shoes in healthy, young women. Methods A total of 27 healthy women (27 feet) with a mean age of 21.5 ± 2.03 years were included in this study. Based on demographic data, radiologic measurements, clinical scores, temporal gait parameters, and kinematic parameters of gait, we confirmed the participants had normal feet. Then, pedobarographic data were measured by dividing each foot into seven regions to compare the three types of shoes. Peak plantar pressure and pressure-time integral were calculated using the Pedar-X system. The one-way analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test with Mann Whitney U -test were used for statistical analyses. Results Regarding the 7 regions of the foot, flat shoes resulted in a significantly higher pressure than running shoes in the hallux and lesser toes and the highest pressure in the metatarsal head (MTH) 3–5 and the hindfoot. In contrast, in the MTH 1 and MTH 2 regions, the high-heeled shoes had the highest measured pressure, followed by the flat shoes. Lastly, there was no high pressure in running shoes in any region except for the midfoot compared to the other shoes. Conclusions It can be inferred from our findings that flat and high-heeled shoes can generate a considerable burden on specific parts of the foot, which will aid in choosing appropriate shoes. Also, wearing running shoes places less burden on the overall foot.

Dynamic Foot Pressure During Walking: A Potential Indicator of Bone Mineral Density

“…Dynamic plantar pressure measurement has been a valuable tool for evaluating foot deformities or pressure-related disorders, including diabetic foot ulcers 24 . One of the most notable recent developments involves plantar pressure measurement using a wearable device called a smart insole 13,14 . This development and our study results raise the possibility that BMD monitoring and osteoporosis screening could be performed during activities of daily living using wearable devices.…”

“…Pressure measurements can be affected by various factors such as the contact surface, mechanical properties of the surface, and contact time and force 12 . However, recent innovations in foot pressure measurement tools, including user-friendly wearable devices such as smart insoles 13,14 , have amplified the potential for BMD screening in activities of daily living through uncomplicated devices. Given prior research establishing calf circumference as a dependable marker for osteosarcopenia 15,16 , the advent of pedobarography prompts us to consider if plantar pressure measurements might reflect calf muscle function and correlate with BMD.…”

Efficacy of auxetic lattice structured shoe sole in advancing footwear comfort—From the perspective of plantar pressure and contact area

“…This study recruited 20 healthy male volunteers, all customarily wearing EU-size 42 shoes. The criteria for participant inclusion were as follows: ( 1 ) no history of lower limb fractures or surgeries; ( 2 ) absence of pain or discomfort while walking; ( 3 ) no deformities such as hallux valgus, flat feet, or bow legs in the lower limbs; and ( 4 ) normal walking posture. Based on these criteria, participants aged between 19 and 23 years old, with an average height of (171 ± 1.9) cm, average mass of (69 ± 4.6) kg, and foot length of (253 ± 1.0) mm.…”

“…Many aspects of foot health can be altered by the distribution of plantar pressure and the sensation of comfort, with numerous studies suggesting that comfortable footwear may serve as a clinical intervention tool rather than merely a means to protect the foot and prevent foot-related diseases ( 1 ). In sports medicine, researchers used polarography to measure biomechanical parameters such as peak plantar pressure (PPP) and contact area, analyzing the impact of different types of footwear on foot ( 2 ). Measuring plantar pressure is crucial for assessing foot load and predicting the onset and progression of diseases.…”