• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1361-1373
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• 2009

This study analyzed female motives and psychological experiences related with high-heeled shoes. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with seven females having more than forty pairs of high-heeled shoes. Exploratory data are classified into physical aspects and mental aspects, and the meaning of wearing high-heeled shoes were derived and discussed. First, with high-heeled shoes, the participants tried to make an ideal physical appearance, 1) to make an aesthetic illusion of a longer, more slender body 2) to make a more glamorous bodyline and toned legs. Second, the psychological experiences were as follows: 1) Wearing high-heeled shoes, they felt self-confidence in appearance and had feelings of satisfaction, fulfillment, and superiority. 2) High-heeled shoes gave wearers an increased sexual appearance in addition to a feminine attitude and independent mind. Accordingly, wearers thought they could make males compliant with a better sexual look in private and public life. 3) Through buying or putting on high-heeled shoes, women could change their mood, have mental stability, and channel sexual desires. 4) Some women made the secret self with the collected high-heeled shoes for sexual fantasies. 5) They thought that painful bodies or feet were not cumbersome. In addition, some wearers thought high-heeled shoes were a natural extension of their bodies.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.85-91
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation of the trunk and lower limbs of subjects wearing high-heeled or flat shoes while crossing over obstacles of different heights. METHODS: Twenty subjects participated in this study. While wearing high-heeled shoes (7 cm) or flat shoes (0 cm), the subjects were asked to cross over obstacles of different heights (10%, 20%, and 30% of their lower-limb length). Muscle activation of the trunk and lower limbs with the supported side while crossing over obstacles of different heights was measured using the electromyogram (Noraxon, DTS, Germany). Two-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activation between high-heel shoes and flat shoes while crossing over obstacles of different heights. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS ver. 21, and p-values less than .05 were used to identify significant differences. RESULTS: As an obstacle's height increased, muscle activation of the trunk and lower limbs with the supported side was increased while wearing either type of shoe, and it was generally higher while wearing high-heeled shoes. However, tibialis anterior muscle activity while wearing high-heeled shoes was lower than while wearing flat shoes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that muscle activation of the trunk and lower limbs was higher when subjects wore high-heeled shoes than when they wore flat shoes while crossing over obstacles of different heights. Therefore, high-heeled shoes can easily cause high muscle fatigue of the trunk and lower limbs, and the TA muscle may weaken in persons who wear high-heeled shoes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.407-413
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• 2014

PURPOSE: We investigated the influence of heel insole and visual control on body sway index with high-heeled shoes. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 61 healthy students. None of the participants had any orthopedic or neurologic alterations. C90 area, C90 angle, trace length, sway average velocity were measured using a force plate by BT4. The variables were measured both with insole and without insole when wearing high-heeled shoes under the conditions of eyes open and eyes closed. The collected data were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and paired t-test. RESULTS: When wearing high-heeled shoes with insole under the conditions of eyes open, trace length, C90 area, velocity were significantly more decreased than without insole (p<.01). When wearing high-heeled shoes with insole under the conditions of eyes closed, only C90 area was significantly more decreased than without insole (p<.05). When wearing high-heeled shoes with insole under the conditions of eyes open, trace length, C90 area, velocity were significantly more decreased than under the conditions of eyes closed (p<.01). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that the use of high-heeled shoes with insole supported from heel to midfoot more increased static balance than without insole under the conditions of eyes open.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.23-31
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of high-heeled shoes on walking of obese women as it was already proven an extrinsic factor of knee osteoarthritis in women with normal weight. In this study the aimed therefore in particular was to utilize high-heeled shoes in proving it's causal influence on knee osteoarthritis by measuring the angle and torque of the knee joint. Fifteen obese women (BMI>25 $kg/m^2$) were measured in their twenties. Each angle and torque of their knee joints during walking on 6.5 cm high-heeled shoes and with a bare feet, were compared with each other and analyzed with a 3D motion analysis system. There was no significant difference in walking speed, cadence and stride length between the two conditions. However, there was a significant increase in a double limb support time and the stance phase when walking on high-heeled shoes as when walking with bare feet. The peak knee flexion angle and peak knee varus torque was higher when walking on high-heeled shoes than with bare feet. On the contrary, the peak knee flexion angle in the swing phase was not statistically different. The prolongation of peak knee varus torque was also proven. There was a significant increase in peak knee varus torque in the initial and last stance phases during walking on high-heeled shoes as compared to walking on bare feet. Through the above results, it was proven that when obese women walked on high-heeled shoes, rather than with bare feet, peak knee flexor and varus torque increased along with the changes of the in knee joint angle. Therefore, the influence of high-heeled shoes might be a significant intrinsic factor in knee osteoarthritis of obese women.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.365-377
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• 2011

The dual purposes of this study were to investigate footwear worn by college students who have become spoilt for choice in apparel & shoes, and point out the problems of their shoe-wearing habbits. The survey was administered in October, 2010 to 600 college residents in Kwangju-Jeonnam area and the results are as follows. Firstly, the most frequently worn footware by males were sneakers, followed by dress shoes and oxford shoes. Females followed a similar trend with sneakers being the most frequently worn, followed by high heeled shoes, flat shoes, wedge high heeled shoes and chucker boots. Secondly, both male and female students thought that the most comfortable and favorable shoes for them were sneakers and the most uncomfortable ones were high-heeled shoes and sandals. They thought chucker boots were both fashionable and comfortable. Thirdly, the degree of unsatisfaction for shoes was relatively high and the influencing factors for unsatisfaction were uncomfortable soles, aches around the toes and a frontward leaning posture of the body, etc. Finally, 87% of the female subjects who had experience wearing high-heeled(over 7cm height) shoes showed a significant increase in foot disorders than those who had never worn high-heeled shoes. According to the results, it is necessary to educate proper selection and wearing of footwear in order to prevent foot disorders and maintain overall health of the body.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristic analysis and to date guidance of European high heeled shoes in 18th century. The research was conducted by stylistic analysis of high heeled shoes from literature review and museums resource. 14 comparative study on shoe objects dating from 1600-1790 in the Museum at F.I.T., New York, Museum of Art, Boston and Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York were selected. The result of this study are as follows: (1) The origin and development of high heeled shoes were accomplished by protection, social status and exaggeration of body, decoration and fashion. (2) According to the comparative study of Museum objects and literature, characteristic analysis of high heeled shoes from 1700-20s, 1730-40s, 1750-60s, 1770-89 and 1890-1900 were accomplished. (3) Significant elements of European women's shoes from 18th century that aid dating are identified as the presence of white rand, shape of tongue, heel shape and height, latchat, toe shape, color and materials.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.304-310
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the change in the kinematics and kinetics of the knee joint depending on high-heeled shoes during sit-to-stand (SitTS) task. Methods: Nineteen healthy females participated in this study. The subjects performed the SitTS task wearing high-heeled shoes and barefoot. The experiment was repeated three times for each task with foot conditions. The kinematics and kinetics of the knee joint were measured and analyzed using a 3D motion analysis system. Results: The result of this study showed kinematic and kinetics differences in knee joints during the SitTS task based on high-heeled shoes. Significant differences in knee flexion angle were observed during SitTS. The knee extensor force showed statistically significant differences during SitTS tasks. At the initial of SitTS, the knee flexor and extensor moment showed significant differences. The knee extensor moment showed statistically significant differences at the terminal of SitTS. At the maximum of SitTS, the knee extensor moment showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Therefore, wearing high-heeled shoes during SitTS movements in daily life is considered to influence knee joint kinematics and kinetics due to the HH, suggesting the possibility of increased risk of patellofemoral pain, and knee osteoarthritis caused by changes in loading of the knee joint.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate changes in lower extremity muscle activity caused by high heeled shoe wearing during normal, brisk, and upslope walking. Methods: Twenty healthy young women (age, $23.9{\pm}2.47$) participated in this study. Muscle activities of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, soleus, hamstring, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis while walking normally, walking briskly, and walking up a slope. Results: When walking normally, the peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, and vastus lateralis evidenced higher activity when high-heeled shoes were worn (p<0.05). During brisk walking, the peroneus longus and gastrocnemius lateralis exhibited higher activity (p<0.05). Although the peroneus longus and vastus lateralis exhibited higher activity when walking up an incline with high-heeled shoes, the activity levels of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis were lower (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that increased heel height substantially reduces muscle effort when walking up a slope. From a therapeutic perspective, it is possible that using high heeled shoes over a short period might enhance muscle activity of ankle evertor, although it can cause mediolateral muscle imbalances in the lower extremities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2024

Purpose : Wearing high-heeled shoes leads to foot and ankle instability, which requires leg muscles to remain in constant contraction. In order to adapt to the instability of the feet and ankles caused by wearing high heels, the muscles of the legs continuously repeat contraction and relaxation. Previous studies of the impact of stair climbing in high-heeled shoes have involved placing the entire stepping area of the shoe on the stair. However, high-heeled shoe wearers sometimes unconsciously contact the stair using only half of the stepping area. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine differences in leg and ankle muscle activation according to stepping area during stair climbing in high-heeled shoes. Methods : Twenty young women in their early 20s voluntarily agreed to participate in this study. We used surface electromyography to measure gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior activation in the right leg during stair climbing under three conditions: barefoot, using half of high-heeled shoe stepping area, and using the total of high-heeled shoe stepping area. Barefoot, half of high heeled shoe, and total of high-heeled shoe were used to evaluate the effects of different areas of the foot or high heels touching the stairs. Results : Both muscles showed significant activity differences among the three stair climbing conditions. Gastrocnemius activity was significantly different between the high-heeled shoe conditions (p= .032), and tibialis anterior activity was significantly different between barefoot stair climbing and climbing with half of the high-heeled shoe stepping area (p= .021). Conclusion : The stepping area increased as heel size increased, thus increasing excessive gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior activity to control excessive ankle joint movement. We infer that using half of the high-heeled shoe stepping area prevents muscle fatigue by reducing excessive leg and ankle muscle activation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treadmill walking with high-heeled shoes on electromyography activities of the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in healthy young females. Methods: Fifteen healthy females were recruited for this study. To measure muscle activation, the subjects were asked in random order to walk on a treadmill using either high-heeled shoes or barefoot conditions. The shoe heel height for high-heeled walking was 7 cm. The walking speed on the treadmill was 4 km/h, and the inclination rate of the treadmill was 10%. The subjects performed treadmill walking in the barefoot and high-heeled walking conditions for 5 minutes. Electromyography data were collected from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus on both firm and foam surfaces and during eyes-open and-closed conditions while standing. Results: Tibialis anterior activity was significantly different before and after the walking task while standing on a foam surface with eyes closed (p<.05). Conclusion: This finding suggests that the activity of the tibialis anterior may be lowered after high-heeled walking. Therefore, high-heeled shoes contribute to harmful effects at the ankle joints, increasing the risks of falling and musculoskeletal injury.