cherise key to pump or not to pump with results
TRANSCRIPT
TO PUMP OR NOT TO PUMP: AN ANALYSIS OF
INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FEMALE
PERCEPTIONS OF HEALTH RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH WEARING HIGH HEELED
SHOESBy: Cherise Key
Exercise Science majorMentor: Dr. Madeline P. Bayles
Indiana University of PennsylvaniaRonald E. McNair Scholarship
Program
DEFINITION OF TERMS Heeled shoe
“footwear that raises the heel of the wearer’s foot significantly higher than the toes”
High is considered 4 in. or more Stiletto
“a short dagger with a tapering blade” Pumps
“a women’s shoe that has medium or high heels that has no fastening”
Wedges a heel formed by a roughly triangular or wedge-like piece that
extends from the front or middle to the back of the sole.
** Platform shoes are NOT heels.
EXAMPLES
All can be interchangeable. Usually referred to as simply “heels”
RESEARCH PROBLEM
High heeled shoes cause pain and discomfort
Irreversible musculoskeletal and orthopedic problems with long term use
HEALTH RISKS- BIOMECHANICS Posture
COM deviation Feet, ankles, knees, lower back, muscle fibers
Ankle Plantar flexion Twisting and sprains
Feet Less surface area
Balance Foot arch
Pressure on toes can lose nerve endings
Bunions, hammer toe
HEALTH RISKS CONTINUED… Gait
Achilles tendon Calf muscle strains
Knees Varus movement
osteoarthritis Flexion increases quadriceps work Patella tendon
Lower back Unstable posture
**higher the heel, the more of a deviation = more stress on the body** Women still continue to wear them for various reasons
LITERATURE REVIEW Perspectives- Why do women wear heeled
shoes?Historical
Social status Became gender specific
Sociological Culture-specific Hippie and Feminists movement
Evolutionary Highlights sex specific features Mate attraction
HYPOTHESIS Traditional college aged women are not
aware of the potential orthopedic problems associated with wearing high heeled shoes.
Older women are aware of the orthopedic problems but continue to wear them anyway.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY Promote awareness to women of the
health risks associated with wearing high heeled shoes.
Provide knowledge of alternatives of shoes with appropriate heel height.
Research questions Do women wear high heeled shoes? Do women know the health risks associated with wearing
high heeled shoes? What are women’s perceptions of the health risks associated
with wearing high heeled shoes. What reasons have these women had to wear high heeled
shoes instead of flats?
METHODS Study was administered to:
traditional college aged women at IUP Ages 18-24
women of IUP faculty and staff 25-39 40 or older
Qualtrics 157 total responses 102 responses from 18 to 24 22 responses from 25 to 39 26 responses from 20 or older
Some did not finish entire survey Results
Percentages based on age groups
RESULTS 1.) Do women wear HHS? (4 inches or greater) Out of 133 respondents
Majority answered: they wear every once in a while on certain
occasions 18-24: 57% 25-39: 63% 40 or older: 16%
Do NOT wear HHS 18-24: 35% 25-39: 18% 40 and older: 75%
RESULTS 2.) Do women know that there are health risks
associated with wearing HHS? Out of 133 respondents Majority knew health risks
18-24: 70% 25-39: 86% 40 or older: 96%
BUT… did they know specifics? Yes
18-24: 61% 25-39: 68% 40 or older: 83%
RESULTS 3.) What are women’s perceptions of the health risks
associated with wearing HHS. Out of 122 respondents
If told by a doctor about the health risks associated with HHS, how often would they wear them? 18-24
33% said they would wear high heeled shoes LESS often 25-39
29% said they would still wear LOWER heeled shoes 40 or older
13% said both… Wear LOWER heels Wear HHS as they normally would
RESULTS 4.) Has their opinion changed after completing the survey? Out of 122 respondents
18-24: 21% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 24 % said they learned new information & not wear HHS as
often 25-39:
29% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 14% learned new information & not wear HHS as often
40 and older: 9% will continue wearing HHS as they usually do 0% learned new information & not wear HHS as often
* Others do not wear HHS or already knew the health risks
RESULTS What reasons have these women given for wearing high
heeled shoes instead of flats? Out of 122 respondents What is media’s message to consumers regarding
high heeled shoes? Attractiveness: 85% Fashion trend: 75% Look more “feminine”: 74% Boost confidence: 57% Acceptance in society: 16% Has no affect: 10%
** Is this why we put ourselves through the pain of wearing heels in general ?
CONCLUSION Most women wear HHS at least
occasionally Most women regardless of age group
know that there are health risks associated with wearing HHS
Women will not completely stop wearing HHS even knowing the health risks
Women’s opinions did not change as they got older
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Dr. Masilela Dr. Staples Dr. Bayles IRB College of Health and Human Services Fellow scholars
ANY QUESTIONS ?
Thank you for your time and attention !