ABSTRACT:
The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge
of the effects of heel height on the temporal and distance variables of
gait for further implementation and backing support for treatment programs.
Data was gathered from eighty healthy female volunteers from the University
of Scranton. Volunteers were between the ages of 18 and 22. We, the
researchers, measured a 25-foot sample of each of the volunteer's gait,
and also timed and measured the pace and number of steps. The subjects
were asked to walk at their self-selected walking speed, in both running
shoes (low heel height) and shoes of at least 1-inch greater heel height.
We measured temporal variables that included velocity and cadence, and
distance variables that included step and stride lengths. Markers
were taped to the back of each subject's shoe heel and were then instructed
to walk on the 25-foot pre-measured paper. We found that both temporal
and distance variables decreased as the heel height increased.
The results of this study can be implemented into future patient and public
education.