Preliminary evaluation of prototype footwear and insoles to optimise balance and gait in older people

BMC Geriatrics

Research Article

Maria Auhl¹  Shannon E. Munteanu²  Hylton B. Menz² 

[1] Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, 3086, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia;Discipline of Podiatry, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, 3086, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia;La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, 3086, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;

关键词: Ageing;    Falls;    Postural balance;    Footwear;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-017-0613-2

 received in 2016-11-01, accepted in 2017-09-06,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundFootwear has the potential to influence balance in either a detrimental or beneficial manner, and is therefore an important consideration in relation to falls prevention. The objective of this study was to evaluate balance ability and gait patterns in older women while wearing prototype footwear and insoles designed to improve balance.MethodsOlder women (n = 30) aged 65 – 83 years (mean 74.4, SD 5.6) performed a series of laboratory tests of balance ability (postural sway on a foam rubber mat, limits of stability and tandem walking, measured with the Neurocom® Balance Master) and gait patterns (walking speed, cadence, step length and step width at preferred speed, measured with the GAITRite® walkway) while wearing (i) flexible footwear (Dunlop Volley™), (ii) their own footwear, and (iii) prototype footwear and insoles designed to improve dynamic balance. Perceptions of the footwear were also documented using a structured questionnaire.ResultsThere was no difference in postural sway, limits of stability or gait patterns between the footwear conditions. However, when performing the tandem walking test, there was a significant reduction in step width and end sway when wearing the prototype footwear compared to both the flexible footwear and participants’ own footwear. Participants perceived their own footwear to be more attractive, comfortable, well-fitted and easier to put on and off compared to the prototype footwear. Despite this, most participants (n = 18, 60%) reported that they would consider wearing the prototype footwear to reduce their risk of falling.ConclusionThe prototype footwear and insoles used in this study improve balance when performing a tandem walk test, as evidenced by a narrower step width and decreased sway at completion of the task. However, further development of the design is required to make the footwear acceptable to older women from the perspective of aesthetics and comfort.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12617001128381, 01/08/2017 (retrospectively registered).

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017