Evaluation of Age-related Differences in Foot Anthropometry among Women

Abstract

Foot morphological changes induced by degenerative processes are commonly found in old people. Such changes in foot anthropometry may adversely affect foot health and footwear comfort, and prolonged use of ill-fitting footwear may even cause foot deformation. This study compares foot anthropometric measurements between young and old women to determine key foot measurements, which can also act as indicators for developing footwear appropriate for the elderly. Using a three-dimensional handheld scanner, 11 foot anthropometric measurements are captured and used to characterize the dimensions and foot shape between young and old women. Eighty-two women between the ages of 20 and 95 years—that is, 41 young women (mean = 24.0; standard deviation = 3.5) and 41 old women (mean = 82.1; standard deviation = 7.2)—were recruited for this study. The results indicate that old women have a significantly longer and wider heel than young women as well as significantly larger ball and instep circumferences after normalization for foot length. Old women also exhibit larger deformity in the degree of hallux valgus and more pronated feet than young women do. A discriminant analysis linear equation has also been established to classify their foot type based on heel length and heel width with reference to their age group.