Effects of Daily Footwear Use on Lower Extremity Health and Movement in Healthy Adults

NCT07735949 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: E-85646034-604.01-130496
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Footwear is one of the most important external factors influencing lower extremity biomechanics, plantar sensory feedback, and postural control. Although supportive footwear provides cushioning and arch support, prolonged use may reduce intrinsic foot muscle activity and alter natural foot mechanics. Conversely, flat footwear may enhance plantar sensory input and foot muscle activation. However, evidence regarding the long-term biomechanical effects of habitual footwear use in healthy adults remains inconsistent. This cross-sectional comparative study aims to compare foot posture, plantar pressure distribution, and balance performance between healthy adults who have regularly worn supportive footwear or flat footwear for at least six months. Static plantar pressure distribution will be assessed using the Footwork system, while static and dynamic balance will be evaluated using the Biodex Balance System. The findings are expected to improve understanding of the long-term biomechanical consequences of habitual footwear selection.

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers; Foot Biomechanics

Keywords

Footwear; Balance; Plantar Pressure; Healthy Adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Overall Stability Index (OSI)

  Overall Stability Index measured using the Biodex Balance System.

  Baseline

• Plantar Pressure Distribution

  Static plantar pressure distribution assessed using the Footwork Pedobarography System.

  Baseline

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Foot Contact Area

  baseline

• Arch Index

  Baseline

• Anterior-Posterior Stability Index

  Baseline

• Single-leg Balance

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Supportive Footwear Group

Healthy adults who have habitually worn supportive footwear for at least 6 months, with an average daily use of at least 6 hours.

Flat Footwear Group

Healthy adults who have habitually worn flat footwear for at least 6 months, with an average daily use of at least 6 hours.

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 adults aged 18-35 years will be recruited from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Bahçeşehir University. Participants must have habitually worn either supportive footwear or flat footwear for at least 6 months, with an average daily use of at least 6 hours. Eligible individuals will be assigned to groups according to their habitual footwear type and will undergo assessments of plantar pressure distribution, foot posture, and balance performance.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years and older
• Diagnosis of hemophilia A or B
• Scheduled to undergo primary total knee arthroplasty
• Able to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent
• Willing to participate in the prehabilitation program

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of neurological disorders affecting balance or gait
• Severe cognitive impairment
• Other musculoskeletal conditions affecting lower extremity function
• Revision total knee arthroplasty
• Any medical condition that would prevent safe participation in the exercise program

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bahçeşehir University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bahcesehir university

Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Related Publications (5)

• Sherafat S, Salavati M, Ebrahimi Takamjani I, Akhbari B, Mohammadirad S, Mazaheri M, Negahban H. Intrasession and intersession reliability of postural control in participants with and without nonspecific low back pain using the Biodex Balance System. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2013 Feb;36(2):111-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2012.12.005.

  PMID: 23499146 BACKGROUND

• Ridge ST, Olsen MT, Bruening DA, Jurgensmeier K, Griffin D, Davis IS, Johnson AW. Walking in Minimalist Shoes Is Effective for Strengthening Foot Muscles. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Jan;51(1):104-113. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001751.

  PMID: 30113521 BACKGROUND

• Franklin S, Grey MJ, Heneghan N, Bowen L, Li FX. Barefoot vs common footwear: A systematic review of the kinematic, kinetic and muscle activity differences during walking. Gait Posture. 2015 Sep;42(3):230-9. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.05.019. Epub 2015 Jun 3.

  PMID: 26220400 BACKGROUND

• Cudejko T, Gardiner J, Akpan A, D'Aout K. Minimal footwear improves stability and physical function in middle-aged and older people compared to conventional shoes. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2020 Jan;71:139-145. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2019.11.005. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

  PMID: 31739197 BACKGROUND

• Chen TL, Sze LK, Davis IS, Cheung RT. Effects of training in minimalist shoes on the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle volume. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2016 Jul;36:8-13. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.05.010. Epub 2016 May 10.

  PMID: 27195735 BACKGROUND

Central Study Contacts

Tuğçe Poyraz İşleyen, Asst.Prof.

CONTACT

+905354467305; tugce.poyrazisleyen@bau.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Asst.Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 18, 2026
• First Posted: July 30, 2026
• Study Start: July 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 20, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 20, 2026
• Last Updated: July 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)