Effects of Different Heel Heights on Plantar Foot Pressure Distribution of Older Women during Walking

[Purpose] This study was performed to investigate changes in plantar foot pressure distribution of older women during walking in shoes with different heel heights. [Subjects] Fourteen older women without foot problems participated in the study. [Methods] Heel heights of the shoes were standardized as 1 cm, 3 cm, and 5 cm. Plantar foot pressure was recorded using the F-scan system (Tekscan Inc, Boston, USA). One-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare foot data obtained at the different heel heights. [Results] Peak plantar pressure values of the dominant lower limb showed significant differences among the different heel heights during the stance phase of gait at the T2-5, M2, MF, and H regions. The contact area of the dominant limb showed significant differences among the different heights at the T2-5, M1, M2, M3, MF, H regions. Antero-posterior and medio-lateral displacements of the trajectory of center of pressure (TCOP) were significantly different among the different heel heights. [Conclusion] Foot pressure distributions of the older women indicate gait pattern altered with shoe heel height.