The effect of balanced incline shoes on walking and feet for the pregnant women

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effects of the balanced incline shoes on the stabilized walking, fatigue reduction, improvement of blood circulation and prevention of foot related disease for the pregnant women. Methods: The seven 7~9 month pregnant women and three maternities within 3 months after delivery without a history of disease performed the cycles for each of the two walking conditions: wearing balanced incline shoes and flat shoes. The differences between the two walking conditions were statistically investigated including three dimensional motion analysis, footprint pressures and blood flow. To find out any possible difference between these two kinds and among the subjects, the statistical tool was utilized with one-way layout design. Results: Of 10 subjects, seven subjects showed the significantly decreased in distance of both knee with balanced incline shoes than flat shoes (P 600 µm/sec) or B (400~600 µm/sec) after they put them on, indicating 1~2 part equivalent improvement. The blood stream velocity showed a incremental tendency after wearing balanced incline shoes. Conclusion: This result suggests that the balanced incline shoes corrected the postures, stabilized the gait pattern, decreased the excessive load on ankle plantar flexors, reduced the fatigue level and improved the blood circulation.