The effect of unsupportive and supportive footwear on children’s multi-segment foot dynamics during gait

Abstract

Footwear is necessary for children’s foot comfort and protection. Despite the popularity of flip-flop (thongs) footwear among children, strong clinical opinion endures of the potential deleterious effect this footwear may have on developing feet. On the contrary, thongs may be beneficial for children’s developing feet due to the footwear’s flexible and unrestrictive nature, as children who mature within habitually barefoot communities are observed to develop stronger and healthier feet. This thesis considers the developing nature of human ambulation and the physiological basis for children’s foot maturation. It then explores the effect of thong footwear on childrens barefoot dynamics with comparisons to traditionally advocated supportive footwear. Foot compensations were observed when thongs were worn while walking and to a lesser extent while jogging. Greater ankle dorsiflexion and reduced hallux dorsiflexion suggests a mechanism to retain the thong. Greater midfoot plantarflexion indicates a gripping action to sustain the thong. Barefoot motions were unaffected by thongs during the sidestep. The midfoot splinting effect of supportive shoes was reinforced while walking, jogging and sidestepping. Thongs had a minimal effect on barefoot dynamics, while supportive shoes limited midfoot power generation with a corresponding increase in ankle power generation. Overall findings suggest that foot motion when wearing thongs may be more replicable of barefoot motion than originally believed. In terms of foot arch development, thongs may be more beneficial than supportive shoes, due to the minimal alterations to barefoot motions when they are worn. The reported midfoot plantarflexion required to grip the thong may be beneficial to children’s foot arch strengthening and overall foot development. While supportive shoes have the necessary protective features, they have been shown to inhibit midfoot and hallux motions with a compensatory increase in ankle motions.