Highlights
- •Anatomical foot parameters were assessed in males and females divided in age groups.
- •In young-adults, the sex-related morphological differences are related to a lower foot length.
- •In the elders, no differences were found after normalization for foot length.
- •Feet anatomy presents specific characteristics in different ages of life.
- •The ideal footwear should take into account the age characteristics.
Abstract
Objective
This study has assessed age-related changes of foot morphology for developing appropriate
footwear with particular reference to the elderly.
Methods
Anatomical parameters such as foot length, circumference and height and ankle length,
circumference and height were assessed in a sample of males (n = 577) and females (n = 528) divided into three age groups. The groups included young-adult, aged between
20 and 25 years; adult, aged between 35 and 55 years; and old, aged between 65 and
70 years individuals.
Results
In terms of gender differences, in young-adult individuals the sex-related morphological
differences observed, are just related to a significantly lower length of foot in
females. In adult subjects morphological parameters investigated were significantly
lower in females even after normalization for foot length. In old individuals, no
differences of the parameters were found after normalization for foot length. Comparative
analysis of morphometric data between young-adult and adult individuals revealed that
the instep length was smaller in adults. The opposite was observed for the great toe
and medial foot arch height. Length of ankle was higher in adult than in young-adult
individuals, whereas ankle circumference and height were smaller. In old vs adult individuals foot circumference showed the most relevant age-related differences.
Conclusions
Feet anatomy presents specific characteristics in different ages of life. The ideal
footwear should take into account these characteristics. This is true primarily for
the elderly for minimizing the risk of falls or of other problems related to inappropriate
footwear.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 08, 2014
Accepted:
July 30,
2014
Received in revised form:
July 29,
2014
Received:
April 18,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
