ABSTRACT
Effects of the shape of high-heels on the gait and comfort perception were investigated using three experiment shoes that were different in the antero-posterior position of the top lift (base of the heel). Distance from the rearmost point of the heel to the rearmost point of the top lift was 15, 25, 35 [mm] in shoes S-15, S-25, and S-35, respectively. Walking motion and ground reaction force (GRF) were measured for the both feet of eight females. Significant differences were observed in impact peak and active peaks of vertical GRF measured for the heel and forefoot separately as well as the amount of plantarflexion of the ankle joint after heel contact. Shoe S-35 was least preferred because it felt unstable. These differences can be explained by the geometry of the heel, ankle joint, and forefoot and the plantarflexed position of the foot.
