The influence of heel height on utilized coefficient of friction during walking

Abstract Wearing high heel shoes has been associated with an increased potential for slips and falls. The association between wearing high heels and the increased potential for slipping suggests that the friction demand while wearing high heels may be greater when compared to wearing low heel shoes....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gait & posture 2011-05, Vol.34 (1), p.107-110
Main Authors: Blanchette, Mark G, Brault, John R, Powers, Christopher M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Ankle Joint - physiology
Biomechanical Phenomena
Female
Friction
Gait
Gait - physiology
Heel
High heels
Hip Joint - physiology
Humans
Knee Joint - physiology
Orthopedics
Risk Factors
Shoes
Slips
Utilized coefficient of friction
Walking - physiology
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Summary:Abstract Wearing high heel shoes has been associated with an increased potential for slips and falls. The association between wearing high heels and the increased potential for slipping suggests that the friction demand while wearing high heels may be greater when compared to wearing low heel shoes. The purpose of this study was to determine if heel height affects utilized friction (uCOF) during walking. A secondary purpose of this study was to compare kinematics at the ankle, knee, and hip that may explain uCOF differences among shoes with varied heel heights. Fifteen healthy women (mean age 24.5 ± 2.5 yrs) participated. Subjects walked at self-selected velocity under 3 different shoe conditions that varied in heel height (low: 1.27 cm, medium: 6.35 cm, and high: 9.53 cm). Ground reaction forces (GRFs) were recorded using a force platform (1560 Hz). Kinematic data were obtained using an 8 camera motion analysis system (120 Hz). Utilized friction was calculated as the ratio of resultant shear force to vertical force. One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were performed to test for differences in peak uCOF, GRFs at peak uCOF and lower extremity joint angles at peak uCOF. On average, peak uCOF was found to increase with heel height. The increased uCOF observed in high heel shoes was related to an increase in the resultant shear force and decrease in the vertical force. Our results signify the need for proper public education and increased footwear industry awareness of how high heel shoes affect slip risk.
ISSN:0966-6362
1879-2219
DOI:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.03.023