Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Balance which is vital for all activities might be affected by wearing different types of foot wear in elderly women. Women are at a greater risk for falls and their consequences than men. This greater vulnerability is due to a number of factors, including more severe osteoporosis and bone fragility especially after menopause, decreased muscle strength, more sedentary, and a greater degree of morbidity and disability. To find if there is a difference in balance in elderly women during wearing different types of footwear. Twenty five elderly women participated in this study, balance was measured for them while wearing three different types of footwear using be Biodex balance system. The balance was significantly greater with sneaker and flat leather shoes than the shoes of medium heel height (3cm) The mean ± SD overall stability index while wearing sneaker, flat, and high heel shoes were 2.8 ± 0.94, 3.02 ± 0.87, and 3.48 ± 0.71 respectively. There was a significant difference in the mean value of overall stability index between the three shoe types conditions (p = 0.0001). The stability indices and balance were greater during wearing sneaker and flat leather shoes than the shoes of medium heel height 3cm

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