Effect of positive heel inclination on posture

Millions of women wear high heels on a daily basis; however, few studies have analyzed the changes high heels (positive heel inclination) have on posture. The purpose of this study was to determine whether positive heel inclination changed the postural alignment of the head, spine, pelvis, and knees. Fifteen female college students ((mean age = 22.7, SD = 3.7 years) had sagittal plane angles measured for the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacral spine, and knee joints in addition to anterior/posterior displacements of the head and pelvis. All variables were assessed by a Metrecom Skeletal Analysis System, a three-dimensional electrogoniometer. Six randomized trials, three at zero heel inclination and three at 5 cm positive heel inclination, were measured. Analysis of variance results indicated positive heel inclination of subjects brought about significantly lower anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and sacral base angles when compared with zero heel inclination (p < .01). Clinically, patients with low back pain may be affected by high heel usage because of the reduction of the normal lumbar lordosis.