Effect of high heeled shoes on Human Balance Proposed Research by Nirosha P. Witana Department of IELM HKUST Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 Outline Introduction Research Gap Methodology Contribution Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 Introduction Why women wear high heeled shoes? Increase the stature To be attractive To be sexy To be formal Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 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 limit 49% < 25 years 31% > 65 years Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 What’s the Problem ? Health Hazards Sprained Ankles Shorten Achilles Tendon Law back pain Foot pain Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 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 Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 Methodology Development of a Profile Assessment Device (PAD) Find out the most suitable footbed shape for higher heel heights Postural Stability Comfort Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Profile Assessment Device HEEL SEAT WEDGE ANGLE TOE SPRING SHANK HEEL HEIGHT SHOE LAST PAD Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Plantar foot pressure and force Pressure Sensor Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Digitizing footbed Surface 3D Digitizer Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 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. Research on High-heeled shoes v1

Research on High-heeled shoes v1 Thank You Research on High-heeled shoes v1