EFFECTS ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF WALKING WITH MULE SANDALS : FOCUSED ON THE ANALYSIS OF SOLE PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The effects of the characteristics of walking were compared among the three kinds of mule sandals (A : wide heel mule; B : pin heel mule; C : pin heel mule with straps), sports shoes (D) and bare feet (E). The changes in sole pressure distribution of the mule sandals (A, B & C) were not harmonized with normal walking cycle. The locus of load center founded from the sole pressure distribution was more skewed to the inside sole with mule sandals than with E. It is suggested that the characteristics of walking with mule sandals are abnormal and different from bare feet to compensate for the unsteadiness of walking.