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

Background: Many women wear high heeled shoes (HHS) on a daily basis to increase the femininity. Wearing HHS increases the height of the center of gravity and takes the line of gravity away from the center of the base of support. This may result in the loss of body balance. Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different shoe heel heights on dynamic balance in different age groups of females. Study Design: Repeated measure design was conducted. Subjects: Sixty female subjects aged from 16 to 45 years were assigned according to their ages into three equal groups: Group (A) consisted of 20 female subjects; their ages ranged from 16 to 20 years with mean age (18.70 ±1.17) years. Group (B) consisted of 20 female subjects; their ages ranged from 21 to 35 years with mean age (25.25 ±4.63) years. Group (C)consisted of 20 female subjects; their ages ranged from 36 to 45 years with mean age (40.45 ±3.67) years. Results: Showed that there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in dynamic balance including (ODSI, APSI and MLSI) of the Biodex among different shoe heel heights (0, 3 and 5 cm) within groups (A, B and C). While there was a significant (P<0.05) difference between group (A, B and C) in all dependent variables (ODSI, APSI and MLSI) at each shoe heel height (0, 3 and 5 cm). Conclusion: It may be concluded that there was no significant effect of different shoe heel heights (0, 3 and 5 cm) on dynamic balance. While there is a significant effect of age on dynamic balance at different shoe heel height (0, 3 and 5 cm)

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