Effects of walking in high heeled shoes on oxygen consumption and energy expenditure in young women

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online 2011-12, Vol.14 (6), p.20-28
• Main Authors: Odebiyi, Daniel O, Ajiboye, Eyitola O, Jaja, Smith I
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Oxygen consumption; Physiological aspects; Walking; Women's shoes
• ISSN: 1097-9751; 1097-9751

Odebiyi DO, Ajiboye EO, Jaja SI. Effects of Walking in High Heeled Shoes on Oxygen Consumption and Energy Expenditure in Young Women. JEPonline 2011; 14(6):20-28. Oxygen consumption and energy expenditure have been studied in various aspects of life. However, studies involving the determination of oxygen consumption and energy expenditure during walking in high heeled shoes of various heights have not been fully studied. This study was designed to determine oxygen consumption and energy expenditure while walking barefooted and in shoes of different heel heights. The subjects consisted of 20 female students (age 22 to 26 yrs) from the College of Medicine at the University of Lagos. The cardiovascular parameters, oxygen consumption, and energy expenditure were determined while walking barefooted and in 2, 4, and 6-inch high heeled shoes. Paired t-test showed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the cardiovascular and metabolic parameters of the subjects between walking barefooted and in shoes with heel heights of 2, 4 and 6 inches, respectively. The effects of walking on the parameters increased with the increase in heel heights. However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) within the groups. Walking in high heeled shoes required more effort and overloaded the activity of the respiratory muscles than when walking barefooted. It appears that the higher the heel heights, the greater the effort required for walking. When it is necessary to be in high heeled shoes, the low heeled shoes are recommended. Key Words: Walking, Barefooted, Heel Heights