title: The influence of high- and low-heeled shoes on balance in young women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of two different heel heights on static balance and on limits of stability during functional reach test, with both the eyes open and eyes closed, in young women (age 22-27) who did not wear heeled shoes habitually.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirtyone young women (age 22-27) performed balance tests on a stabilometric platform without footwear and in shoes with 4 cm and 10 cm heels. The center of pressure (COP) deviations range and velocity in anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions were assessed. The limits of stability were measured when the subject leaned the body in sagittal plane.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ranges of COP deviations in AP and ML directions were already significantly higher in 4 cm heels in comparison to the barefoot condition. COP deviation velocity significantly raised with increasing heel height as well as when the eyes were closed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A more pronounced increase of COP deviation velocity than COP deviation range when measurement conditions become more difficult may indicate that young women anticipate postural corrections by stimulation of ankle proprioception when heeled shoes are worn. High-heeled shoes may lead to alterations in velocity feedback balance mechanism, which may increase the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Observed in our study adverse effect of heeled footwear on balance may predispose women to falls and injuries. Permanent use of stiletto high heels should be avoided by women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mika
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Kraków, Poland.|Oleksy Physiotherapy Clinic, Poland.
authors.forename: Łukasz
authors.initials: Ł
authors.lastname: Oleksy
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kielnar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University of Physical Education in Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Świerczek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006365:Heel / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011312:Pressure; D012775:Shoes; D055815:Young Adult