How barefoot and conventional shoes affect the foot and gait characteristics in toddlers.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Barefoot shoes have recently become a popular alternative to conventional shoes among the parents of pre-school children. As the long-term effect of habitual shoe-wearing on the foot is still unclear, the aim of this study was to compare the arch index, dynamic foot anthropometry and gait parameters in toddlers who had been habitually wearing barefoot shoes or conventional shoes since their first steps.

Methods

30 toddlers- 15 habitually wearing barefoot shoes (BF group) and 15 habitually wearing conventional shoes (N-BF group)-participated in this study. Each child was measured twice during the study. The first data collection session occurred within one month after the first five consecutive unsupported steps were performed by the toddler. The second data collec

SUBMITTER: Gimunova M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9398026 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature