Effects of Heel Height on Gait Parameters

NCT07167472 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Heel Height
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to investigate the effects of different shoe heel heights on gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. Each participant will be assessed under three conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, step length, stance and swing phase percentages, gait cycle duration) and pelvic kinematics (tilt, obliquity, rotation symmetry) will be measured using the BTS-G wireless sensor system. The study seeks to identify biomechanical differences associated with heel height and to provide data that may contribute to shoe design and individualized rehabilitation strategies.

Conditions

Gait; Locomotion

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Change in Gait Speed Across Heel Height Conditions

  Self-selected walking speed (meters/second (m/s)) measured with BTS-G wireless sensor during a 10-meter walk under three conditions: barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Cadence Across Heel Height Conditions

  Step cadence (steps/min) assessed with BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Stride Length Across Heel Height Conditions

  Stride length (cm) obtained using BTS-G sensor during walking trials under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Stance and Swing Phase Percentages

  Percentage of stance (%) and swing phases (%) of the gait cycle calculated by BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic tilt

  Pelvic tilt recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic obliquity

  Pelvic obliquity recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Change in Pelvic Kinematics- pelvic rotation

  Pelvic rotation recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  ody weight and height will be measured, and BMI will be calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Recorded at baseline for all participants. Its unit is kg/m2.

  Baseline (single assessment before gait analysis).

Study Arms (1)

Healthy Adults with Normal BMI

Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI, assessed under three walking conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel).

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy adult volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait. Participants will be assessed under three heel height conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel) to examine the impact on gait spatiotemporal parameters and pelvic kinematics.

You may qualify if:

• Healthy adults, aged 18-35 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²)
• Foot structure compatible with shoe size
• Voluntarily agrees to participate and provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Use of orthotics or insoles
• History of musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait
• Lower extremity injury or surgery within the past 6 months
• Chronic ankle instability
• Receiving treatment related to the lower extremities within the past 6 months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead
• Yuksek Ihtisas University: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Yuksek Ihtisas University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Study Officials

• Mıyaser Medıne Gok

  Yuksek Ihtisas University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Busra Kalkan Balak

  Yuksek Ihtisas University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Gungor Beyza Ozvar Senoz

  Yuksek Ihtisas University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Sevılay Seda Bas

  Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Gungor Beyza Ozvar Senoz

CONTACT

505 388 86 17; beyzaozvar@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CROSSOVER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 26, 2025
• First Posted: September 11, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 30, 2026
• Study Completion: May 1, 2026
• Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)