Analysis of posture, gait and lower back burden while wearing a pregnancy simulation jacket−Comparison by heel height−

Abstract

　Shoes with 2-3 cm heels are recommended for pregnant women; however, there are few studies on the actual conditions and effects of wearing such shoes on posture and gait. This study aims to compare the posture, gait, and lumbar strain if wearing shoes with 1, 3, and 5 cm heels, meaning the difference between the heel height and forefoot storm height (thickness of the toe portion), on simulated pregnant women wearing a pregnancy simulation jacket and determine the effects of wearing such shoes. Fifteen simulated pregnant women have been analyzed. The results showed that the simulated pregnant women′s posture was leaning more backward than that of the non-pregnant women; however, the heel height did not change this. Simulated pregnant women, like non-pregnant women, had shorter strides and slower walking speeds with higher heels. In non-pregnant women, lumbar strain did not change with heel height, whereas in simulated pregnant women, lumbar strain was enhanced with a heel height of 5 cm. Therefore, it is not recommended that pregnant women wear shoes with 5 cm heels, as this may increase the muscle load on the lower back.