Foot Instability during Walking in Shoes with High Heels

Lower Extremity Mechanics and Energy Cost of Walking in High-Heeled Shoes

“…Velocity and stride length have been observed to decrease with heel height while cadence did not change (1). Other studies reported that, throughout the gait cycle, the ankle was more plantar flexed (6,18) and the range of motion of the ankle was less when wearing high heels (14).…”

“…Several studies have investigated the effects of walking in high-heeled shoes (1,6,12,13,14,15,16,18). Few of these studies, however, have investigated the energy cost of walking in high-heeled shoes.…”

Correlations between biomechanical variables and comfort ratings during high heeled gait

“…However, it is yet unknown whether any of these changes has any relevance to the discomfort often associated with high heeled shoes (Adrian and Karpovich 1966). If relationships between any of these biomechanical variables and comfort were to be uncovered, this information could possibly be used by footwear manufacturers to improve the comfort of high heeled shoes.…”

Female gait patterns: The influence of footwear

“…According to Adrian and Karpovich (1966) and Merrifield (1971) walking in heels causes a significant decrease in step length, in out-toeing and in the total range of movement at the subtalar joint. These authors also observed greater instability during the support phase of walking in shoes with high heels in 60% of subjects studied.…”