Effects of Shoe Type on Dorsal Foot Contact Pressure during Gait:

Comparison between Business Shoes and Walking Shoes

Abstract

We aimed to identify the effects of shoe type on dorsal foot contact pressure during gait. We included 36 healthy young men (age, 22.6±1.2 years) without foot-related disorders, who were assigned into 2 groups based on the shoe type used in walking: business shoes and walking shoes groups. Prior to the experiment, foot measurements were performed to identify the appropriate shoe size for each participant. Subsequently, to measure the contact pressure during walking, FlexiForce^® sensors were attached to the first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsum, the medial aspect of the first interphalangeal joint, the metatarsal fibulare, the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint dorsum, the intermediate cuneiform dorsum, and the pternion. Contact pressure measurements were recorded, and the average values were calculated for each gait phase: the loading response, mid stance, terminal stance, pre-swing, and swing phases. In the loading response phase, contact pressure was significantly higher on the intermediate cuneiform dorsum for participants in the business shoes group. This could be due to a higher dorsiflexion moment associated with walking with business shoes in the loading response phase, which leads to restrictions in the plantar flexion of the foot.