Effects of Balance Shoes on Balance and Postural Stability in the Elderly: A Crossover, Controlled, Randomized Single-Blind Study

Amiez, Nicolas; Cometti, Carole; Mouillon, Éric; Teisseire, Marie José; Chenut, Pascal; Païzis, Christos; Babault, Nicolas

doi:10.3390/healthcare9020179

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(48 reference statements)

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“…The ndings of this study need to be interpreted in the context of several limitations. First, although previous research has shown that ve weeks of habituation to new shoes does not signi cantly affect standing balance or gait patterns in older women [43], previous studies have used a habituation period of between 25 metres [19], one minute [20] and a few days [44]. In our study, participants were only provided with a brief period of time to acclimatise to the different footwear conditions before undertaking the balance tests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Azhar

Munteanu

Menz

2023

Preprint

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Background Footwear has been shown to influence balance and is an important consideration in relation to the prevention of falls. However, it remains unclear as to what type of footwear is most beneficial for balance in older people: sturdy, supportive footwear, or minimalist footwear to maximise plantar sensory input. The objectives of this study were therefore to compare standing balance and walking stability in older women wearing these two footwear styles, and to investigate participants’ perceptions in relation to comfort, ease of use and fit. Methods Older women (n = 20) aged 66 to 82 years (mean 73.4, SD 3.9) performed a series of laboratory tests of standing balance (eyes open and closed on floor and foam rubber mat, near tandem standing) and walking stability (treadmill, level and irregular surface) using a wearable sensor motion analysis system. Participants were tested wearing supportive footwear (incorporating design features to improve balance) and minimalist footwear. Perceptions of the footwear were documented using structured questionnaires. Results There were no statistically significant differences in balance performance between the supportive and minimalist footwear. However, trends were observed which indicated that standing balance was better in the minimalist footwear, while walking stability was better in the supportive footwear. Participants perceived the supportive footwear to be significantly more attractive to self and others, easier to put on and off but heavier compared to the minimalist footwear. Overall comfort was similar between the footwear conditions, although the supportive footwear was reported to be significantly more comfortable in the heel, arch height, heel cup, heel width and forefoot width regions. Eighteen participants (90%) reported that they felt more stable in the supportive footwear and 17 (85%) reported that they would consider wearing them to reduce their risk of falling. Conclusion Balance performance and walking stability were similar in supportive footwear designed to reduce the risk of falling and minimalist footwear, although participants preferred the supportive footwear in relation to aesthetics, ease of use, comfort and perceived stability. Prospective studies are now required to ascertain the longer-term advantages and disadvantages of these footwear styles on comfort and stability in older people. Trial registration: Australian New Zeland Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12622001257752p, 20/9/2022 (prospectively registered). https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384670&isReview=true

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Azhar

Munteanu

Menz

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The findings of this study need to be interpreted in the context of several limitations and highlight that these data represent only a preliminary evaluation of the footwear given the relatively small sample. First, although previous research has shown that 5 weeks of habituation to new shoes does not significantly affect standing balance or gait patterns in older women [ 44 ], previous studies have used a habituation period of between 1 min [ 19 , 20 ] and a few days [ 45 ]. In our study, participants were only provided with a brief period of time to acclimatise to the different footwear conditions before undertaking the balance tests.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Azhar

Munteanu

Menz

2023

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

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Background Footwear has been shown to influence balance and is an important consideration in relation to the prevention of falls. However, it remains unclear as to what type of footwear is most beneficial for balance in older people: sturdy, supportive footwear, or minimalist footwear to maximise plantar sensory input. The objectives of this study were therefore to compare standing balance and walking stability in older women wearing these two footwear styles, and to investigate participants’ perceptions in relation to comfort, ease of use and fit. Methods Older women (n = 20) aged 66 to 82 years (mean 73.4, SD 3.9) performed a series of laboratory tests of standing balance (eyes open and closed on floor and foam rubber mat, near tandem standing) and walking stability (treadmill, level and irregular surface) using a wearable sensor motion analysis system. Participants were tested wearing supportive footwear (incorporating design features to improve balance) and minimalist footwear. Perceptions of the footwear were documented using structured questionnaires. Results There were no statistically significant differences in balance performance between the supportive and minimalist footwear. Participants perceived the supportive footwear to be significantly more attractive to self and others, easier to put on and off but heavier compared to the minimalist footwear. Overall comfort was similar between the footwear conditions, although the supportive footwear was reported to be significantly more comfortable in the heel, arch height, heel cup, heel width and forefoot width regions. Eighteen participants (90%) reported that they felt more stable in the supportive footwear and 17 (85%) reported that they would consider wearing them to reduce their risk of falling. Conclusion Balance performance and walking stability were similar in supportive footwear designed to reduce the risk of falling and minimalist footwear, although participants preferred the supportive footwear in relation to aesthetics, ease of use, comfort and perceived stability. Prospective studies are now required to ascertain the longer-term advantages and disadvantages of these footwear styles on comfort and stability in older people. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12622001257752p, 20/9/2022 (prospectively registered).

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“…However, the authors found no significant differences in anteriorposterior oscillations. In contrast, shoes produce instability, decrease rate of force development and indirect ground reaction force (GRF) transmission, thereby compromising lifting performance (3,15,20). Contrary, the barefoot lifting could be considered more efficient than shod lifting by integration of the force × velocity curve during the concentric phase and resulting in better motor control that contribute with a steady state sooner which could potentially explain the increased rate of force development while barefoot (3,21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All participants performed a routine of resistance training programs used an intensity between 60% and 80% 1RM and a routine of strength training that engaged the whole body with resistance bands, free-weights, dumbbells and medicine balls. The personal shoes selected were shoes usually worn during daily activities within the last 2 months (15). The participants were eligible if they weren't smokers for the previous 3 months or more, had no cardiovascular or metabolic diseases, systemic hypertension (140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication), recent musculoskeletal injury and surgery (in the last 6 months), or pain in any region of the body, and had not used anabolic steroids, drugs or any medication with the potential to impact physical performance (self-reported).…”

Section: Participantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deadlift Exercise with Shoes or Barefoot: Effects on Balance and Postural Control in Men and Women

Souto Maior,

da Silva

2023

Muscle Ligaments and Tendons J

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Objective. The purpose of this study was to compare the plantar surface area, maximum peak pressure, mean pressure and stabilometry variables between men and women before and after performing the deadlift exercise with shoes vs barefoot. Methods. Thirty healthy participants were selected and separated into two groups: men (n = 15) and women (n = 15). All study participants performed the deadlift exercise with shoes and barefoot at random. Participants performed 3 sets maximal repetitions trials, with intensity of 80% of the body mass and 2-minute rest between the sets. The interval between exercise sessions was separated by 48 hours. Participants underwent evaluations in the baropodometry platform (static conditions) during baseline, immediately post effort, 5-, 10-and 30-minutes post deadlift exercise, with the participant barefoot, to assess of the plantar surface area of both feet (cm 2 ), maximum peak pressure (kgf/cm 2 ), mean pressure (kgf/cm 2 ), anteroposterior (mm/s) and anteroposterior oscillation (mm/s). Results. Two-way ANOVA showed significant decrease in both anteroposterior (p < 0.05) and laterolateral (p < 0.001) oscillations at men and women post-barefoot training. Plantar surface area maximal and mean pressure were significantly lower (p < 0.05) from 10 min at men and women post-barefoot training. On the other hand, plantar surface area maximal pressure in the right foot of women was significantly lower (p < 0.001) from 5 min post-barefoot training. Conclusions. The results of this investigation confirm that barefoot deadlift exercise contributed to smaller anteroposterior oscillation, laterolateral oscillation and decrease of the plantar surface area pressure in both sexes.

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Effects of Balance Shoes on Balance and Postural Stability in the Elderly: A Crossover, Controlled, Randomized Single-Blind Study

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women

Deadlift Exercise with Shoes or Barefoot: Effects on Balance and Postural Control in Men and Women

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