A research on the effects of wearing high heeled shoes on the musculoskeletal system for females

The aim of current study is to determine with objective measurements, how the use of high heeled shoes effect lower extremity musculoskeletal system in females and it is aimed to guide about diagnosis and treatment of lower extremity problems or to help to prevent the occurrence of these problems. Moreover, in this study, somatometric relations in between lower extremity anthropometric measurements in females wearing high heeled shoes are investigated. The study is carried out with 136 females aged between 18-45 years. Our first group consists of 66 females wearing 5 cm and more high heeled shoes, during at least 5 hours a day, three days a week and at least one year. The second group consists of 70 females wearing shoes having heel height less than 5cm at least one year. Demographic data (i.e: years, height, weight, body mass index-BMI), anthropometric measurements, foot print analysis, muscle flexibility test, Range of Motion (ROM), muscle force, torque and strength are assessed by using objective methods. While anthropometric measurements are taken using an anthropometric set, foot print analysis are determined with Chippaux Smirax Arch Index (CSAI) and Staheli Arch Index (SAI). Nicholas manual muscle tester (NMMT) are used to evaluate lower extremity muscle force, torque and strength. SPSS 21.0 software are used for statistical analysis. In our study especially, hip flexion and extension, knee flexion and extension and ankle plantar flexion force, torque and strength measurements were found significantly higher in females wearing high heeled shoes than non wearing high heeled shoes (p<0.001). As heel height increases, plantarflexion of the ankle joint and the art. coxae flexion angle rises. Anterior-posterior thigh and leg muscles become more active to control this increase and develop adaptation to this situation. As a conclusion, these findings showed that the using high heeled shoes continually causes changes on musculoskeletal system because of excessive use of lower extermity muscles.