Abstract
In spite of ill-effects of high heel shoes, they are widely used for women. Hence, it is essential to understand the load transfer biomechanics in order to design better fit and comfortable shoes. In this study, both experimental measurement and finite element analysis were used to evaluate the biomechanical effects of heel height on foot load transfer. A controlled experiment was conducted using custom-designed platforms. Under different weight-bearing conditions, peak plantar pressure, contact area and center of pressure were analyzed. A three-dimensional finite element foot model was used to simulate the high-heel support and to predict the internal stress distributions and deformations for different heel heights. Results from both experiment and model indicated that heel elevations had significant effects on all variables. When heel elevation increased, the center of pressure shifted from the midfoot region to the forefoot region, the contact area was reduced by 26% from 0 to 10.2 cm heel and the internal stress of foot bones increased. Prediction results also showed that the strain and total tension force of plantar fascia was minimum at 5.1 cm heel condition. This study helps to better understand the biomechanical behavior of foot, and to provide better suggestions for design parameters of high heeled shoes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Broch, N.L., Wyller, T., Steen, H.: Effect of heel height and shoe shape on the compressive load between foot and base. Journal American Podiatric Medical Association 94(5), 461–469 (2004)
Dawson, J., Thorogood, M., Marks, S.A., et al.: The prevalence of foot problems in older women: a cause for concern. Journal of Public Health 24(2), 77–84 (2002)
Nyska, M., McCabe, C., Linge, K., et al.: Plantar foot pressures during treadmill walking with high-heel and low-heel shoes. Foot and Ankle International 17(11), 662–666 (1996)
Snow, R.E., Williams, K.R., Holmes, G.B.: The effects of wearing high-heeled shoes on pedal pressure in women. Foot and Ankle 13(2), 85–92 (1992)
Kouchi, M., Tsutsumi, E.: 3D foot shape and shoe heel height. Anthropological Science 108(4), 331–343 (2000)
Mandato, M.G., Nester, E.:. The effects of increasing heel height on forefoot peak pressure. Journal American Podiatric Medical Association 89(2), 75–80 (1999)
Han, T.R., Paik, N.J., Im, M.S.: Quantification of the path of center of pressure (COP) using an F-scan in-shoe transducer. Gait and Posture 10, 248–254 (1999)
Hong, W.H., Lee, Y.H., Chen, H.C., et al.: Influence of heel height and shoe insert on comfort perception and biomechanical performance of young female adults during walking. Foot & Ankle International 26(12), 1042–1048 (2005)
Lee, Y.H., Hong, W.H.: Effects of shoe inserts and heel height on foot pressure, impact force, and perceived comfort during walking. Applied Ergononimcs 36, 355–362 (2005)
Speksnijder, C.M., vd Munckhof, R.J.H., Moonen, S.A.F.C.M., et al.: The higher the heel the higher the forefoot-pressure in ten healthy women. The Foot 15(1), 17–21 (2005)
Zhang, Y., Yu, J., Ho, M.C., et al.: Effect of heel height on plantar pressure distribution and subjective measure. In: Proceedings of Biomedical Engineering Conference, BME 2006, Hong Kong, 149–151 (2006)
Orlin, M.N., McPoil, T.G.: Plantar pressure assessment. Physical Therapy 80(4), 399–409 (2000)
Shimizu, M., Andrew, P.D.: Effect of heel height on the foot in unilateral standing. Journal of Physical Therapy Science 11(2), 95–100 (1999)
Luximon, A., Goonetilleke, R.S., Tsui, K.L.: Foot landmarking for footwear customization. Ergonomics 46(4), 364–383 (2003)
Chen, W.P., Ju, C.W., Tang, F.T.: Effects of total contact insoles on the plantar stress redistribution: a finite element analysis. Clin. Biomech. 18, 17–24 (2003)
Cheung, J.T., Zhang, M.: A 3-dimensional finite element model of the human foot and ankle for insole design. Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 86, 353–358 (2005)
Yu, J., Cheung, J.T., Fan, Y., et al.: Development of a finite element model of female foot for high-heeled shoe design. Clin. Biomech. 23,Suppl 1, 31–38 (2008)
Yu, J., Zhang, M.: Finite element analysis of foot and its clinical applications. Chin. J. Orthop. Trauma. 10, 113–115 (2008) (in Chinese)
Adrian, K.C.: American last making: procedures, scale comparisons, sizing and grading information, basic shell layout, bottom equipment standards. Shoe Trades Publishing, Arlington, MA. (1991)
Mahadevan, V., Anderson, R., Williams, L., et al.: Interactive Foot and Ankle, CD ROM, Primal Picture Ltd., London, UK (1999)
Nakamura, S., Crowninshield, R.D., Cooper, R.R.: An analysis of soft tissue loading in the foot-a preliminary report. Bull. Prosthet. Res. 18, 27–34 (1981)
Lemmon, D., Shiang, T.Y., Hashmi, A., et al.: The effect of insoles in therapeutic footwear: a finite-element approach. J. Biomech. 30, 615–620 (1997)
Zhang, M., Mak, A.F.: In vivo skin frictional properties. Prosthet Orthot Int. 23, 135–141 (1999)
Flynn, T.W., Canavan, P.K., Cavanagh, P.R., et al.: Plantar pressure reduction in an incremental weight-brearing system. Physical Therapy 77(4), 410–416 (1997)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
The project was supported by the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong (PolyU5317/05E, PolyU5331/07E, PolyU5352/08E).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Luximon, Y., Luximon, A., Yu, J. et al. Biomechanical evaluation of heel elevation on load transfer — experimental measurement and finite element analysis. Acta Mech Sin 28, 232–240 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-012-0015-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10409-012-0015-9