ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
The aim of this study was to assess the
biomechanics of the
foot in
beauty pageant contestants wearing
shoes that increase calcaneal height. Plantar
pressure distribution and
postural balance were examined in
women after one hour of wearing high-heeled
shoes.
METHODS:
Foot arch measurements were conducted using EPSR1. Based on these measurements, 18 of the 19 tested
women were diagnosed with significant
pes cavus.
RESULTS:
The experiment revealed a significant reduction in the excessively high
metatarsal arch of both
feet. The mean load on the
metatarsus measured at
rest was 0.0% in both
feet, and it increased by 0.6% in the left
leg (p ≤ 0.022; Z = 2.293) and by 2.7% in the right
leg (p ≤ 0.023; Z = 2.271). These results suggest that excessive stretching of the plantar
fascia and impaired function of the short
muscles of the
foot lead to a temporary reduction in the arch of the
foot. This phenomenon can be compared to stretching a bowstring and its return to the shortest length under static conditions. A
statistical analysis of the results of stabilographic measurements revealed significant changes only in the left
foot barycenter. An
analysis of the
ability to maintain
postural balance revealed that the observed changes contributed to postural destabilization at p ≤ 0.011 and Z = 2.535.
CONCLUSIONS:
Further
research involving
electromyography tests is needed to examine plantar
muscle tension during
isotonic contractions. The duration of the
exercise-induced reduction in
pes cavus should also be determined for
therapeutic purposes.
