roya emamgholizadeh minaei

Foot anthropometry will enhance the fit and comfort of shoes. There are limited published data on the foot anthropometry of Iranians. Therefore, this study aimed to collect foot anthropometric data in northwest Iran to compare dimensions between the two genders and also with the corresponding data from other populations. A total of 21 dimensions of the right foot were measured in 290 males and 290 females using a digital caliper and a tape. Digital patterning and different percentile values were calculated. Independent t-test was applied to test the effect of gender on foot dimensions. Cohen’s d was computed to express the magnitude of dimensional differences between the participants of the current study and others. The absolute foot dimensions of males were significantly larger than those of females. After normalization to the foot length, however, some foot dimensions of females were found to be larger. The relative proportion of digital patterning of I and II were 78% and 22% respectively. Digital patterning and the main dimensions such as foot length and width were different among the participants of the current study and those of other populations, especially the East Asian communities. The data of this study could be utilized by local footwear designers. In accordance with the relative foot dimensions, the female foot was not a scale-down of the male foot. Therefore, women’s data should be used in designing their footwear. Compared with other populations, the participants of this study had individual foot morphology, which should be considered in the design and import of footwear.

Foot anthropometric dimensions could be useful in design of comfortable footwear. The objective of this study was the measurement of foot anthropometric dimensions in a group of students.
This study was a descriptive one in which 21 dimensions of foot for 580 men and women were measured manually. To measure the foot dimensions a digital caliper and a tape were used. The measured dimensions included the important lengths, widths, heights and girths of foot. Descriptive statistics such as percentiles, mean and standard deviation were calculated for the collected data. To test and survey of the mean of foot dimensions between men and women, statistics such as independent T-test and effect size (Cohen’s d) were used.
The values of mean, standard deviation, the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles were calculate and were tabulated for the total studied population and for gender. In the all measured foot dimensions, men had bigger dimensions than women. Gender had different impacts on the measured foot dimensions. The mean of all foot dimensions was significantly different between men and women (Pvalue=0.001). Digital pattering of I and II were observed in 78% and 22% of the studied population, respectively.
In the present study, important anthropometric data of foot were collected for a group of students. Presented percentiles could be used in design of male and female shoes. Conducting similar studies in children population with different age categories could help completion of the anthropometric database.