Work

Biomechanical effects of high-heeled shoes on the ankle load

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Women who wear high heels often have problems with leg and spine pain. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of high-heeled footwear on the load on the ankle and foot. Pressure measurements were carried out in a static standing position for barefoot and footwear with different heel heights (0.5 cm, 2.5 cm, 6.5 cm, 9 cm, 10 cm) and shapes (narrow heel and block heel). Using a simple biomechanical model of the foot, the forces in the ankle were calculated. The highest forces in the ankle occur with narrow, medium-height heels. With narrow heels (medium-height and high), the highest pressures also occur in the front part, where the center of pressure is located. From obtained results, it can be concluded that high-heeled shoes with narrow heel support could pose a high risk on foot and ankle joint.

Source: Koža & obuća

DOI: 10.34187/ko.73.4.2

Authors: Ružica Marošević, Tanja Jurčević Lulić, Jasna Leder Horina, Martina Lovrenić-Jugović

Institutions: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb

Language: English

Topic: Lower Extremity Biomechanics and Pathologies

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4407772505