32nd Annual Student Research Conference
The Relationship Between Long Term Wear of Supportive vs. Unsupportive Shoes and Foot Posture
Kristina Hiatt* and Alicia Barringer
Dr. Michael Bird and Dr. Scott Thatcher, Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between long-term footwear use and foot posture. Shoe arch height of 28 women (age: 36.4±14.8; Ht: 167.5±6.8; Wt: 76.3±16.6) was measured and foot posture was scored against the Foot Posture Index (FPI) scale. FPI measures included the location of talar head, a supra and inframalleolar assessment, a talonavicular joint assessment, a medial longitudinal arch assessment, and a forefoot/rearfoot adduction and abduction assessment. A Harris Mat footprint was used to score foot pronation or supination. Shoe height was found to be a significant predictor of FPI score. No significant linear relationship was found between Haris Mat quantitative score and shoe height. No correlation between weight and age with the FPI score was found. Prolonged footwear use of shoes with low arch height is related to larger FPI scores, further research could establish pain implications.
Keywords: FPI, Footwear, Women, Harris Mat
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 5-5
Location: SUB GEO
Time: 3:00