Foot Length and Preference: Implication in Footwear Design

Authors

  • A.S. Alabi Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences,
  • G.S. Oladipo Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt
  • B.C. Didia Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt
  • E.O. Aigbogun Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt

Keywords:

Foot length, Foot preference, Footwear, Asymmetry, Sex.

Abstract

Introduction: The foot bears great anatomical function and therefore needs to be protected. The design and engineering of footwear for diverse population is subject to accurate anthropometric data provided for the population.

Aims and Objectives: The present study therefore evaluates foot length difference in relation to foot preference and their implication in footwear design.

Methods: A total of 1154 adult Nigerians comprising of 577 males and 577 females were included in the study. Direct linear measurements of the left and right foot length were measured using a metric tape. Foot preference (RT, LF or both) and longer foot (RT, LT or EQ) were also determined. Data were analyzed using SPSS (IBM®Armonk, New York, USA) and Minitab V17 (Minitab® Inc. State College, Pennsylvania) statistical software. Paired-sample t-test was used to evaluate symmetry; student t-test was used to compare sex differences while Chi square analysis was used to evaluate the association of foot preference with sex, side and longer foot. Confidence level was set at 95%; as P-values ≤0.05 were considered significant.

Results: The mean (S.D) of the right and left foot length (RFL and LFL) of male was 270.20±13.25mm and 270.46±12.94mm while female was 248.90±12.07mm and 249.52±11.81mm respectively. The population RFL and LFL was 259.55±16.56mm and 259.99±16.22mm. The paired sample t-test showed significant symmetric differences in RFL and LFL for females (P=0.033) and total population (P=0.011) but not males (P=0.168). Males displayed significantly higher mean values than the females (P<0.001). Results of the Chi-square analysis showed that, when sex was related to foot preference, the right foot was observed to be dominant for both males (88%) and females (87%), while dual-footedness presented least (2.4% males and 1.7% females). However, there was no observed association of sex and the foot preference neither was there any proportionality difference (P>0.05) but there was association between sex and foot-length difference (P<0.01), with more females having a longer left and right foot while more males had relatively equal foot length.

Conclusion: This study suggests the avoidance of assumption of equal foot length; hence, length difference must be considered when constructing footwear for the Nigerian population, most especially for the females, as the study observed bilateral asymmetry in foot length.

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Published

2016-12-21

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2016)

Section

Articles

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