Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026
Experimental Methods to Study Human Postural Control
Published on: September 11, 2019
The effect of torsional shoe flexibility on gait and stability in children learning to walk
Melanie A Buckland1, Corinne M Slevin, Jocelyn F Hafer
1Leon Root MD, Motion Analysis Laboratory (Dr Buckland, Dr Slevin, Ms Hafer, and Mr Kraszewski), Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York; California College of Podiatric Medicine (Dr Choate), Oakland, California.
Purpose:
To examine the effects of different torsional flexibilities of shoes on gait and stability in children who are newly walking.
Methods:
Twenty-five children walking 5 months or less were evaluated barefoot and in 4 shoes with different torsional flexibilities (UltraFlex, MidFlex, LowFlex, and Stiff). Gait pattern was assessed using GaitMatII. Stability was determined by the number of stumbles/falls during functional tasks.
Results:
Stance time was shorter barefoot compared with all shoe conditions (P = .000). Stance time was shorter in UltraFlex than in LowFlex (P = .000). Step width was wider in UltraFlex than in MidFlex and LowFlex (P = .028). Velocity, step length, and the number of stumbles/falls did not differ significantly across shoe conditions. Children walking for 2 months or less had significantly more stumbles and falls than children walking more than 2 months (P = .003).
Conclusions:
Stance time and step width differ across shoe conditions. Stability does not differ across shoe conditions.
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