Previous studies proved that, the high-heeled shoes caused postural changes, a loss of foot function, and deformities of foot. However the lumbar lordosis in gait is rarely measured. The purposes of this study were to compare kinematics and kinetics between high-heeled and high-forefoot gait by skin markers, and to find the influence of heel height to lumbar vertebral alignment. We used the Vicon 370 three-dimension Gait Analysis System.

In the present study, the lower extremity biomechanics in high-heeled and high-forefoot shoes were examined in 20 Korean female subjects. Results showed that the double support phase increased in high-forefoot gait in linear parameters. In sagittal plane kinematics, the lumbar lordosis slightly increased in high-forefoot gait, but that did not increase in high-heeled gait. The knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion increased in high-heeled gait, but ankle pantar flexion reduced in high-forefoot gait. Clinically the change of ankle motion was not significantly influenced to the lumbar lordosis. However, high-heeled shoe users with low back pain are probably influenced by the overstress of paraspinal muscles and vertebral ligments. Further studies are required for more precise analysis of high-heeled and high-forefoot gaits.