Research on High-heeled shoes v1 1

Effect of high heeled shoes on Human Balance Proposed Research byNirosha P. Witana

Department of IELMHKUST

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 2

Outline

Introduction Research Gap Methodology Contribution

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Introduction

Why women wear high heeled shoes?

Increase the statureTo be attractiveTo be sexyTo be formal

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Popularity

Survey conducted by American Podiatric Medical Association (2003) 503 subjects

72% wear High heeled shoes,39% in regular basis / more than

8hrs per day

No age limit49% < 25 years31% > 65 years

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What’s the Problem ?

Health HazardsSprained AnklesShorten Achilles TendonLaw back painFoot pain

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Research Gap

Wearing high heels impairs the balance of the body,

resulting in abnormal deviations of COP trajectory (Gefen et al. ,2001)

causes ankle sprains and falls(Ebbeling, Hamill and Crssemeyer, 1994)

anterior displacement of COP increases with the height of the heel (Han, Paik and Im, 1999)

None of the studies have reported the COP change with the same heel height but different footbed shapes

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Methodology

Development of a Profile Assessment Device (PAD)

Find out the most suitable footbed shape for higher heel heightsPostural StabilityComfort

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Profile Assessment Device

SHOE LASTSHOE LAST

HEEL SEAT

WEDGE ANGLE

TOE SPRING

SHANK HEEL HEIGHT

PADPAD

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Plantar foot pressure and force

Pressure Sensor

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Digitizing footbed Surface

3D Digitizer

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Contribution Challenge the existing

guidelines of footbed design in the industry

Help local manufacturers to have a competitive edge in the design and development of healthy & functional footwear.

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Thank You