TO PUMP OR NOT TO PUMP: AN ANALYSIS OF

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FEMALE

PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH RISKS

ASSOCIATED WITH WEARING HIGH HEELED

SHOESBy: Cherise Key

Exercise Science majorMentor: Dr. Madeline P. Bayles

Indiana University of PennsylvaniaRonald E. McNair Scholarship

Program

DEFINITION OF TERMS Heeled shoe

“footwear that raises the heel of the wearer’s foot significantly higher than the toes”

High is considered 4 in. or more Stiletto

“a short dagger with a tapering blade” Pumps

“a women’s shoe that has medium or high heels that has no fastening”

Wedges a heel formed by a roughly triangular or wedge-like piece that

extends from the front or middle to the back of the sole.

** Platform shoes are NOT heels.

EXAMPLES

All can be interchangeable. Usually referred to as simply “heels”

RESEARCH PROBLEM

High heeled shoes cause pain and discomfort

Irreversible musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems with long term use

HEALTH RISKS- BIOMECHANICS Posture

COM deviation Feet, ankles, knees, lower back, muscle fibers

Ankle Plantar flexion Twisting and sprains

Feet Less surface area

Balance Foot arch

Pressure on toes can lose nerve endings

Bunions, hammer toe

HEALTH RISKS CONTINUED… Gait

Achilles tendon Calf muscle strains

Knees Varus movement

osteoarthritis Flexion increases quadriceps work Patella tendon

Lower back Unstable posture

**higher the heel, the more of a deviation = more stress on the body** Women still continue to wear them for various reasons

LITERATURE REVIEW Perspectives- Why do women wear heeled

shoes?Historical

Social status Became gender specific

Sociological Culture-specific Hippie and Feminists movement

Evolutionary Highlights sex specific features Mate attraction

HYPOTHESIS Traditional college aged women are not

aware of the potential orthopedic problems associated with wearing high heeled shoes.

Older women are aware of the orthopedic problems but continue to wear them anyway.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY Promote awareness to women of the

health risks associated with wearing high heeled shoes.

Provide knowledge of alternatives of shoes with appropriate heel height.

Research questions Do women wear high heeled shoes? Do women know the health risks associated with wearing

high heeled shoes? What are women’s perceptions of the health risks associated

with wearing high heeled shoes. What reasons have these women had to wear high heeled

shoes instead of flats?

METHODS Study was administered to:

traditional college aged women at IUP Ages 18-24

women of IUP faculty and staff 25-39 40 or older

Qualtrics 157 total responses 102 responses from 18 to 24 22 responses from 25 to 39 26 responses from 20 or older

Some did not finish entire survey Results

Percentages based on age groups

RESULTS 1.) Do women wear HHS? (4 inches or greater) Out of 133 respondents

Majority answered: they wear every once in a while on certain

occasions 18-24: 57% 25-39: 63% 40 or older: 16%

Do NOT wear HHS 18-24: 35% 25-39: 18% 40 and older: 75%

RESULTS 2.) Do women know that there are health risks

associated with wearing HHS? Out of 133 respondents Majority knew health risks

18-24: 70% 25-39: 86% 40 or older: 96%

BUT… did they know specifics? Yes

18-24: 61% 25-39: 68% 40 or older: 83%

RESULTS 3.) What are women’s perceptions of the health risks

associated with wearing HHS. Out of 122 respondents

If told by a doctor about the health risks associated with HHS, how often would they wear them? 18-24

33% said they would wear high heeled shoes LESS often 25-39

29% said they would still wear LOWER heeled shoes 40 or older

13% said both… Wear LOWER heels Wear HHS as they normally would

RESULTS 4.) Has their opinion changed after completing the survey? Out of 122 respondents

18-24: 21% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 24 % said they learned new information & not wear HHS as

often 25-39:

29% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 14% learned new information & not wear HHS as often

40 and older: 9% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 0% learned new information & not wear HHS as often

* Others do not wear HHS or already knew the health risks

RESULTS What reasons have these women given for wearing high

heeled shoes instead of flats? Out of 122 respondents What is media’s message to consumers regarding

high heeled shoes? Attractiveness: 85% Fashion trend: 75% Look more “feminine”: 74% Boost confidence: 57% Acceptance in society: 16% Has no affect: 10%

** Is this why we put ourselves through the pain of wearing heels in general ?

CONCLUSION Most women wear HHS at least

occasionally Most women regardless of age group

know that there are health risks associated with wearing HHS

Women will not completely stop wearing HHS even knowing the health risks

Women’s opinions did not change as they got older

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Dr. Masilela Dr. Staples Dr. Bayles IRB College of Health and Human Services Fellow scholars

ANY QUESTIONS ?

Thank you for your time and attention !