Effect of Toe Only Rocker at 10 and 15 Degrees on Balance and Walking Speed in Elderly Adults

 Balance is one of the indicators to determine independence in performing daily activities in the elderly. One of the influential factors in postural control and balance is walking speed. This study aims to evaluate the effect of rocker soles at two degrees of 10 and 15 on the walking speed and balance of the elderly.

The study participants were 19 older adults aged 60 years or older (13 women and 6 men; mean age=66.1 years, mean height=1.63 m, mean weight=70.3 kg). Three models of shoes were used: shoes with a 10-degree rocker sole angle, shoes with a 15-degree rocker sole angle, and control shoes. Walknig speed was evaluated with 10-m walking test, while balance and dynamic postural control were assessed with the Berg balance Scale (BBS) and Star Excursion balance test, respectively. The Shapiro-Wilks test was used to examine the normality of data distribution, and repeated-measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon test were used to compare the effects of different rocker angles on balance and walking speed. The obtained data were analyzed in SPSS v. 22.

 There was no significant difference in walking speed (P= 0.993), dynamic postural balance at anterior (P= 0.835), posterolateral (P= 0.86), and posteromedial (P= 0.598) directions and balance obtained from BBS (P= 0.625) among the groups using three shoe models.

 It seems that the use of rocker sole shoes does not affect the balance and walking speed of the elderly. This study supports the administration of shoes with toe-only rocker soles to the elderly.