High heels and Women's Health
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Original Editor - Kapil Narale
Top Contributors - Kapil Narale and Kim Jackson
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Its a popular notion that high heels can increase a Woman's physical attractiveness, thus enhancing her health and fertility. [1]
Legs in high heels are seen to be more attractive than legs without high heels. Legs that are in heels are perceived to be longer than those not in heels. The longer leg length is seen to be more sexually attractive to the opposite sex. the use of high heels give the perception that Women are being safeguarded by their partners. Women feel more sexually attractive as well. [1]
High heels are seen to superficially increase Women's attractiveness to Men through altering their gait, reducing their stride length, and increasing their pelvic tilt and hip rotation. in addition, the curve in Women's lumbar spine is increased, which also increases attractiveness. [1]
High heels do have psychosexual benefits which make their use more preferred, however there are many detrimental effects associated with high heels, making their use a public health challenge. [2]
There is an association between psychosexual benefits and the negative effects on musculoskeletal health, which makes high heels a social and controversial issue. These effects and aspects will be discussed. [2]
Musculoskeletal Health[edit | edit source]
A biomechanical review has found that there are incorrect variations to the neuromechanics of walking gait, and kinematics and kinetics of structures within the body from the spine to the toes, which can create a risk for various conditions such as musculoskeletal pain, hallux valgus, ankle inversion injuries, and osteoarthritis. There can also be deviations in foot and ankle kinematics, kinetics, knee and hip flexion, gait, posture, and balance. Increased lumbar lordosis due to an increased pelvic tilt can be associated with the risk of low back pain. [2]
It is seen that the use of high heels in adolescents, individuals ranging from 10-19 years old, can lead to postural impairments, which affect head positioning, the back, pelvis, and the knee. Heel height and width are primary contributors to postural changes, and boy imbalance.
Erector Spinae Activity and Pelvis Kinematics[edit | edit source]
A study measured the EMG of the erector spinae and pelvis kinematics, in normal walking speeds, of younger Women and middle-aged Women, in three conditions: without shoes, in low-heeled shoes (4cm), and high heeled shoes (10cm).
In younger women, within the three conditions of increasing heel height, there was an increased EMG activity recorded during gait at initial ground contact (heel strike), and at toe off. In addition, with high heels, there was a greater pelvic range of motion in the sagittal plane, compared to low heels and no heels.
In middle aged Women, there was a significantly higher lumbar erector spinae EMG activity between wearing any heels and with no heels.
The increased lumbar erector spinae EMG activity has the potential to cause muscle overuse, which could to low back problems.
The lower pelvic range of motion in middle aged Women, compared to younger Women, can signify that tissues in the lumbopelvic region become more rigid as one ages. Thus, the harmful effects of high heels on posture and spinal tissues may be more apparent with age.
Hallux Valgus[edit | edit source]
Osteoarthritis[edit | edit source]
Various biomechanical reviews show evidence that there is a risk of osteoarthritis, though there isn't evidence of epidemiological studies.
Second-party Injury[edit | edit source]
An injury, caused by another person, due to the mechanism of a stiletto (heels that are higher than 1 inch) is very possible, and can lead to temporary or more long-term impairments or damages, especially when involved in stepping on anothe rindividual or used in a fight. [2]
Resources[edit | edit source]
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References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Prokop Pavol. High heels enhance perceived sexual attractiveness, leg length and women’s mate-guarding. Current Psychology. 2022:41:3282–3292.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Barnish Max, Morgan Heather May, Barnish Jean. The 2016 HIGh Heels: Health effects And psychosexual BenefITS (HIGH HABITS) study: systematic review of reviews and additional primary studies. BMC Public Health. 2018:18(37):1-13.
