IMPACT OF DIFFERENT HEEL HEIGHTS ON STEP LENGTH AND STRIDE LENGTH OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF LAHORE MEDICAL AND DENTAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Background: High-heeled footwear has become a defining element in modern fashion, often worn without consideration for its biomechanical consequences. Among these, alterations in gait patterns—specifically step length and stride length—are notable concerns. Prolonged use of elevated heels may influence musculoskeletal alignment and walking mechanics. Evaluating how different heel heights affect these spatial parameters of gait is crucial for understanding their clinical and functional implications.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of varying heel heights on step length and stride length among undergraduate female students at Lahore Medical and Dental College.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, involving 100 healthy female participants aged 19–25 years, selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Shoe sizes 6–8 (UK/PAK) were used across four heel heights: flat (0.2 inches), low (1.5 inches), medium (2.5 inches), and high (3.2 inches). Step and stride lengths were recorded using an observational gait analysis (OGA) system, involving inked footprints on a 20-foot white paper walkway. Measurements were taken with ABN measuring tape. Mean values for physical characteristics were: age 22.97 ± 1.20 years, height 5.38 ± 0.23 ft, weight 126.10 ± 21.46 lbs, and BMI 21.87 ± 3.99. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in step length across heel heights (p=0.000), while no significant difference was noted in stride length (p=0.487). Post-hoc paired comparisons confirmed significant step length variations between all heel combinations.

Conclusion: The study concludes that increasing heel height leads to a consistent increase in step length, while stride length remains largely unaffected. These findings underscore the biomechanical impact of footwear on gait dynamics.