ArticleJournal of foot and ankle research2023
Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women.
Article in Journal of foot and ankle research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- Footwear Characteristics and Their Impact on Gait and Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence.Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 2026Pooled it
- Effects of Long-Term Minimal Footwear Use on Fall-Risk and Fall Incidence in Older Adults.Gerontology · 2026Trial
- Acceptability of Minimalist Shoes Compared With Balance-Enhancing Shoes in Older Women: Protocol for a Randomised Crossover Trial.Journal of foot and ankle research · 2026Article
- Minimalist Footwear in the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Impairments Across the Life Course: A Scoping Review.Musculoskeletal care · 2025Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFootwear has been shown to influence balance and is an important consideration in relation to the prevention of falls. However, it remains unclear as to what type of footwear is most beneficial for balance in older people: sturdy, supportive footwear, or minimalist footwear to maximise plantar sensory input. The objectives of this study were therefore to compare standing balance and walking stability in older women wearing these two footwear styles, and to investigate participants' perceptions in relation to comfort, ease of use and fit.
methodsOlder women (n = 20) aged 66 to 82 years (mean 73.4, SD 3.9) performed a series of laboratory tests of standing balance (eyes open and closed on floor and foam rubber mat, near tandem standing) and walking stability (treadmill, level and irregular surface) using a wearable sensor motion analysis system. Participants were tested wearing supportive footwear (incorporating design features to improve balance) and minimalist footwear. Perceptions of the footwear were documented using structured questionnaires.
resultsThere were no statistically significant differences in balance performance between the supportive and minimalist footwear. Participants perceived the supportive footwear to be significantly more attractive to self and others, easier to put on and off but heavier compared to the minimalist footwear. Overall comfort was similar between the footwear conditions, although the supportive footwear was reported to be significantly more comfortable in the heel, arch height, heel cup, heel width and forefoot width regions. Eighteen participants (90%) reported that they felt more stable in the supportive footwear and 17 (85%) reported that they would consider wearing them to reduce their risk of falling.
conclusionBalance performance and walking stability were similar in supportive footwear designed to reduce the risk of falling and minimalist footwear, although participants preferred the supportive footwear in relation to aesthetics, ease of use, comfort and perceived stability. Prospective studies are now required to ascertain the longer-term advantages and disadvantages of these footwear styles on comfort and stability in older people.
trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12622001257752p, 20/9/2022 (prospectively registered).
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