Abstract
ABSTRACT
Footwear, particularly stiff-soled shoes, can impact postural control in young children during a critical period of motor development. While proprioception plays a key role in maintaining balance, shoes may restrict natural movement, potentially affecting overall posture and proprioceptive abilities. This study examines how stiff-soled footwear influences postural control during quiet standing in children. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the influence of stiff-soled footwear on postural control in young children by analyzing balance and stability during quiet standing. Specifically, we assessed whether wearing footwear with various degrees of stiffness influenced the temporal correlations of center of pressure (COP). Understanding these effects may help determine how footwear impacts the natural development of proprioception and balance in early childhood. METHODS: Nineteen healthy children (Age: 6 ± 2 years, Height: 49.5 ± 6 in., Weight: 54.2 ± 21 lbs.) participated in the study. Each child completed three quiet standing trials under three footwear conditions (barefoot, minimalist shoe, and rigid shoe) for one minute. Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA-α) alpha values were calculated for both AP and ML directions for each of the footwear conditions to evaluate postural dynamics. A repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to determine the differences between the footwear conditions. A Tukey post hoc analysis was used to determine where differences exist. RESULTS: There was a significant effect of footwear on the both COP_AP DFA-α (F (1,18) = 1149.05, p < .001, η² = 0.985) and COP_ML DFA-α (F (1,18) = 1684.664, p < .001, η² = 0.989). Post hoc tests showed a significant decrease in DFA-α between minimalist and rigid shoes in both the AP and ML directions (p < .05). However, there were no differences between barefoot and either shoe condition (p > .05). Rigid shoes reduced AP movement compared to barefoot, but no significant changes were observed in ML movement or overall sway area. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that stiff-soled footwear constrains AP postural sway in young children, potentially limiting necessary corrective movements and affecting proprioceptive development. Furthermore, differences between minimalist and rigid footwear suggest that sole rigidity influences balance adjustments in both AP and ML directions. While these restrictions might seem beneficial, they could interfere with the natural refinement of postural control mechanisms. Future research should explore the long-term effects of habitual stiff-soled footwear use on postural development in children.
Recommended Citation
Martinez, Samantha; Trevino, Crystal S.; and Applequist, Bryon C.
(2025)
"Using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis to Determine the Effects of Footwear on Postural Dynamics in Children,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 198.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/198
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
