The Effect of Heel Base Design on Plantar Pressure and Wear Comfort of Healthy Females

Sin Hang Luk, Kit Lun Yick, Liying Zhang

Research output: Chapter in book / Conference proceedingConference article published in proceeding or bookAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

As one of the most popular and desirable fashion items, high heels with a pointed heel base are particularly popular with women. Despite the foot problems induced by ill-fitting designs of high heels, many women neglect their foot health, which results in foot discomfort and even pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of heel base designs with a classic pump style on the plantar pressure, walking stability and perceived wear comfort using a classic pump style. Heel base designs have a major influence on the maximum peak pressure and shifting of the centre of pressure trajectory. In this study, a wedge heel design which provides more plantar support is perceived as the most desirable footwear for walking stability and comfort. As compared to the trapeze-heel, the cone-shaped heel is perceived to be more stable, although it has a small contact area. The trapeze-heel results in the highest peak plantar pressure and thus causes walking instability and discomfort. In addition to the height of the heel, shoe designs should also consider the contours of the heel base to improve wear comfort and reduce pressure during walking.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement
EditorsMiguel Bruns, Lin-Lin Chen, Jun Hu, Sara Colombo, Yihyun Lim, Steven Kyffin, Ozcan Vieira, E. Jeroen Raijmakers, Lucia Rampino, Edgar Rodriguez Ramirez, Dagmar Johanna Steffen, Calvin Wong
PublisherThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Pages87-93
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9789623678704
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event12th International Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement, DeSForM 2023 - Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Duration: 5 Jul 20237 Jul 2023

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement
ISSN (Electronic)2706-6150

Conference

Conference12th International Conference on Design and Semantics of Form and Movement, DeSForM 2023
Country/TerritoryHong Kong
CityHong Kong
Period5/07/237/07/23

Keywords

  • comfort
  • heel base design
  • high heels
  • plantar pressure

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Mechanics of Materials

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Effect of Heel Base Design on Plantar Pressure and Wear Comfort of Healthy Females'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this