Although the feet are submitted to constant use, studies of the forces acting during walking with various shoe types have been limited.

In this study, peak pressures, force-time integrals and relative impulses under various shoe types such as flat foot shoes, soft cushion heel shoes, high heel shoes and high and wide heel with elevated toe box shoes during walking were analyzed using foot pressure measurement system in 21 steps of 7 females who are aged 21 to 26 and have good pedal conditions.

The results are as follows:

1) The greatest pressure-loaded site of the 7 parts of the foot during walking was the midforefoot area in all types of shoes.

2) The greatest force-time integrals and relative-impulses-loaded site of the 7 parts of the foot during walking was the heel area in all types of shoes except high heel shoes.

3) As the heel height was lowered, the peak pressures, force-time integrals and relative impulses on the medial heel area were increased.

4) The peak pressures, force-time integrals and relative impulses on the medial forefoot area were significantly increased during walking with high-heel shoes and high and wide heel with elevated toe box shoes compared with flat foot shoes or soft cushion heel shoes.

5) The peak pressures, force-time integrals and relative impulses were shifted from the heel to the medial and forefoot area during walking with shoes which have greater difference in heel and toe box height.

On the basis of this study, we should consider the fact that the greatest pressures are loaded on the mid-forefoot area and the greatest force-time integrals and relative impulses are loaded on the heel area. Also, there was a tendency to shift weight bearing from the heel area to the medial forefoot area as the heel height increased.

Those with problems in the medial forefoot area in particular should not wear high heeled shoes.