Effect of Arch Support on the Insole Pressure Distribution of Heel Heighted Shoes

This study aimed at exploring the effect of arch support on the insole pressure distribution of ladies' shoes with 20 mm, 50 mm and 80 mm heel height. Foot arch of ten ages-, body weight- and height-matched girls in barefoot standing posture was scanned by 3D measure system. Three types of last were proposed based on the foot arch: control last (CL), higher last (HL) and lower last (LL). CL was designed according to the foot model, whereas HL and LL indicated 2.5 mm higher or lower than that of CL in the arch area. Pressure variables of peak pressure (PP), contact area (CA) and pressure-time integral (PTI) at hind, mid and fore foot were analyzed by paired-T test with the significant level of 0.05. The result shows that no significant differences were observed at mid foot between comparisons of HL and CL, and CL and LL in each heel height. However, HL demonstrated a significantly lower PP and PTI than CL at forefoot in the 20 mm and at hind foot in the 80 mm heel height respectively; while CL demonstrated a significantly smaller PP than that of LL at hind foot in 50 mm heel height. It can be concluded that the last with an appropriate arch support was helpful in ameliorating pressure concentration under forefoot and hind foot.