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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07167472

Effects of Heel Height on Gait Parameters

This observational study aims to investigate the effects of different shoe heel heights on gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. Each participant will be assessed under three conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, step length, stance and swing phase percentages, gait cycle duration) and pelvic kinematics (tilt, obliquity, rotation symmetry) will be measured using the BTS-G wireless sensor system. The study seeks to identify biomechanical differences associated with heel height and to provide data that may contribute to shoe design and individualized rehabilitation strategies.

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Key information

Conditions

Gait Locomotion

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Yuksek Ihtisas University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This prospective observational crossover study will be conducted at Yuksek Ihtisas University. Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal body mass index and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait will be recruited. Participants will be excluded if they use orthotics, have had lower extremity injuries or surgery in the past 6 months, or have chronic ankle instability.

Each participant will undergo gait assessments under three randomized shoe conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. A BTS-G (BTS Bioengineering, Italy) wireless inertial sensor will be placed at the L4-L5 level to record spatiotemporal gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in the anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes during a 10-meter walk at a self-selected speed. The primary variables will include gait speed, cadence, stride length, stance and swing phase percentages, and gait cycle duration. Pelvic tilt, obliquity, and rotation symmetry indices will also be evaluated

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy adults, aged 18-35 years
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²)
  • Foot structure compatible with shoe size
  • Voluntarily agrees to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

  • Use of orthotics or insoles
  • History of musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait
  • Lower extremity injury or surgery within the past 6 months
  • Chronic ankle instability
  • Receiving treatment related to the lower extremities within the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Gait Speed Across Heel Height Conditions

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Self-selected walking speed (meters/second (m/s)) measured with BTS-G wireless sensor during a 10-meter walk under three conditions: barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel.

  2. Change in Cadence Across Heel Height Conditions

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Step cadence (steps/min) assessed with BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  3. Change in Stride Length Across Heel Height Conditions

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Stride length (cm) obtained using BTS-G sensor during walking trials under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  4. Change in Stance and Swing Phase Percentages

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Percentage of stance (%) and swing phases (%) of the gait cycle calculated by BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.

  5. Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic tilt

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Pelvic tilt recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  6. Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic obliquity

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Pelvic obliquity recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  7. Change in Pelvic Kinematics- pelvic rotation

    Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)

    Pelvic rotation recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.

  8. Body Mass Index (BMI)

    Time frame: Baseline (single assessment before gait analysis).

    ody weight and height will be measured, and BMI will be calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Recorded at baseline for all participants. Its unit is kg/m2.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Hacettepe University

Other

Collaborators

  • Yuksek Ihtisas University

Registry information

Official study title

Investigation of the Effects of Shoe Heel Heights on Gait Parameters in Healthy Individuals

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Sep 11, 2025
Registry last updated
May 22, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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