Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Using Gold-standard Gait Analysis Methods to Assess Experience Effects on Lower-limb Mechanics During Moderate High-heeled Jogging and Running
Published on: September 14, 2017
Effect of high-heeled shoes on the parameters of body posture
Justyna Drzał-Grabiec1, Sławomir Snela
1*Institute of Physiotherapy, University of Rzeszów, Poland; and †Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Regional Hospital No 2, Rzeszow, Poland.
Study Design:
The study group consisted of 90 young, healthy females, aged 20 to 25 years. Three types of measurements were conducted for each female: without shoes, with 4-cm heels, and with 10-cm heels.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of high-heeled shoes on chosen parameters characterizing body posture.
Summary Of Background Data:
For a long time, high-heeled shoes have been an attribute of femininity. Currently, there is an increasing amount of research being published investigating the effect of high-heeled shoes on selected biomechanical parameters.
Methods:
The study used a photogrammetric method, based on the chamber projection and Moiré phenomenon. The study was performed using predesignated points of anthropometric measures. We used 19 photogrammetric parameters characterizing body posture.
Results:
Results of the measurements showed no significant differences using the significance level P < 0.05 between the measurements taken with no shoes, with 4-cm high-heeled shoes, and with 10-cm high-heeled shoes. Statistically significant results were obtained only for the angle of trunk bend parameter. The value of the P coefficient in the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test for the angle of trunk bend parameter was P = 0.0140. Analysis based on the multiple comparison test indicated differences between the group wearing no shoes, and those wearing 4-cm heels (P = 0.0226), and between the group wearing no shoes and the group wearing 10-cm heels (P = 0.0459).
Conclusion:
High-heeled shoes increased the forward inclination of the trunk. This article shows that there are only certain trends for some parameters that require further scientific investigation.
Level Of Evidence:
N/A.

