We’ve written about the health risks associated with high heels in previous blog posts, and a new study out of Korea further highlighted the risks when it examined the long-term effects that high heeled shoes have on range of motion in the ankle. Below, we take a look at the study and its findings.
Background
Researchers at Korea University and Gachon University of Medicine and Science in the Republic of Korea wanted to examine the long-term side effects that plague habitual high heel wearers. Researchers said there is already a lot of information on how high heels can alter the musculoskeletal system in a person’s legs and feet, but this study was aimed at range of motion and muscle development/weakness in the ankle. They hoped their findings could aid medical professionals in the diagnosis and assessment of patients who have experienced such symptoms.
Methods
Researchers used two groups for their study. Each group consisted of 10 selectively recruited individuals. One group consisted of habitual high heel wearers, while the other group was made up of people who regularly wore flat soled shoes. The average age of a participant was 23.9 years old in the high heeled group, and 23.8 years old in the flat shoe group. Researchers measured the participants’ range of motion, maximal voluntary isometric force, and concentric contraction power of their ankles.
Results
Participants who frequently wore high heeled shoes exhibited an increased range of motion of plantarflexion and inversion (turning the ankle outwards) in their ankles, but decreased range of motion of dorsiflexion and eversion (turning the ankle inwards) compared to their flat shoe wearing counterparts.
Conclusions
Chronic high heel wearers exhibited a functional deformity of the ankle in the supinated direction. Researchers advise that people who wear high heels for more than five hours a day on a regular basis should engage in thorough ankle stretches. The stretches should occur on a routine or daily basis, and they should focus on increasing dorsiflexion range of motion and eversion.
Dr. Silverman comments
High heels are the high fashion, but they come with a price.
While certain muscles strengthen, others weaken and the ankle and foot can become unbalanced. It is important to balance the time your feet spend in high heels and in flat shoes. Equal time walking in shoes without heels will help stretch your foot muscles and prevent any joint contracture.
Related source: SagePub.com
