Perceived changes in the university students’ health behavior after participating in the study on wearing high-heeled shoes

• Main Authors: Miloslav Gajdos, Sona Jandova, Rut Lenkova, Bibiana Vadasova, Jakub Cuj, Wioletta Mikulakova, Pavol Nechvatal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PPHU Projack 2020-06-01
• Series: Physical Activity Review
• Subjects: high heeled shoes; attractiveness; women; harmful impact; posturę; spine
• Online Access: http://www.physactiv.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020_81_12.pdf

Introduction: Wearing high-heeled shoes (HH) is a wide-spread practice among Western women, maintaining popularity despite its harmful potential. We examined the main motivation behind wearing HH in female students, as well as the possible change to wearing HH among the research participants. Methods: Thirty university students (N=30 females, age 21.8±2.09 years; weight: 55.7±4.05 kg, height: 1.66±0.03 m, BMI: 20.34±1.41 kg.m-2, shoe size: EU 36–38), who rarely wore HH. The participants wore HH for no longer than 6 hours per month during the period two past years.The SonoSensMonitor Analyzer system (Gefremed, Chemnitz, Germany) was used to observe participants’ posture when walking and movements in individual sections of their spines. In a comparative experiment, the correlation between variables recorded when walking in two types of shoes was identified. The first pair of shoes (HH) had 7 cm heels whereas the second were flat sport shoes (FS). Results:The evaluation of participants’ spines and posture when walking in HH and FS revealed significant differences (p < 0.05). The evaluation of the initial and follow-up surveys indicates that the main motivation for wearing HH among the test group was to increase their attractiveness and respond to social expectations. After participating in the research and becoming aware of its outcomes and issues, the test group’s attitude to wearing HH has changed. Conclusions:In regards to good posture and spinal health, this study has raised some awareness amongst its participants, and has therefore proved to be a significant positive influence.