Optimal shoe design for older adults

Due to changes in foot morphology and the occurrence of foot deformities and foot pain with ageing, older people frequently wear ill-fitting shoes leading to discomfort and reduced mobility, says a review of literature published in the September 2019 issue of the journal Maturitas.

Anton Jellema of Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and colleagues concluded that there is a need for shoe design specifically aimed at the foot morphology and demands of older people, including aesthetics. Shoes need to provide stability, also in the lateral direction. Based on the review of evidence, the following design recommendations were made for the shoe elements required for a comfortable and safe shoe for older adults

An optimal shoe for older adults should include the following elements:a proper anatomical fit, a well-fitting toe box, a limited heel height, a broad enough heel, a firm insole and midsole, an outsole with sufficient tread and width, a bevelled heel, a bevelled shoe nose, a firm heel counter with snug fit, and an easy and effective closing mechanism.

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Healthcare News Monitor

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