Work

Effects of footwear type and stair riser height on ankle inversion proprioception during stair descent in healthy young females

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives To investigate ankle inversion proprioception during stair descent in healthy young females under two footwear conditions and at two riser heights. Methods Eighteen healthy young females participated. Ankle inversion proprioception was assessed using the Ankle Inversion Discrimination Apparatus for Landing (AIDAL) during stair descent while wearing flat shoes (FS) and high heel shoes (HHS) at stair riser heights of 15 cm and 30 cm. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated as the ankle proprioception score. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to examine the effects of riser height and footwear type on ankle inversion proprioception. Results A two-way ANOVA revealed a significant main effect of footwear type on ankle inversion proprioception (F = 7.513, p = 0.014, ηp 2 = 0.306). No significant main effect was found for riser height (F = 0.245, p = 0.627, ηp 2 = 0.014), nor was there a significant interaction effect between footwear type and riser height (F = 1.109, p = 0.307, ηp 2 = 0.061). Conclusion For the task of stair descent, FS may provide better ankle proprioceptive feedback in healthy young females compared with 7 cm HHS. It is recommended that this population consider their footwear choices in daily life based on their needs.

Source: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2026.1911629