Research Article
Comparative Analysis of User Perception and Step Length Using Toe Separating, Contoured Sandals versus Thong Style Flip-Flops
Jay Emlen1, Loretta Logan1, Michael Huchital1, Amanda Siegel1, Matthew Weintraub1, John T Doucette2 and Peter Barbosa1*1New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York, United States
2Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
- *Corresponding Author:
- Peter Barbosa
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
53 East 124th Street
New York, NY 10035, United States
Tel: 2124108476
Fax: 2124100940
E-mail: pbarbosa@nycpm.edu
Received date: October 28, 2016; Accepted date: November 22, 2016; Published date: November 28, 2016
Citation: Emlen J, Logan L, Huchital M, Siegel A, Weintraub M et al. (2016) Comparative Analysis of User Perception and Step Length Using Toe Separating, Contoured Sandals versus Thong Style Flip-Flops. Clin Res Foot Ankle 4:215. doi:10.4172/2329-910X.1000215
Copyright: © 2016 Jay Emlen, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Objective: Traditional thong style flips-flops are a popular form of footwear that is widely accepted in diverse cultures around the world. Several new products have emerged on the market with similar modifications, including padded toe separators in each of the four interdigital spaces and contoured foot beds containing medial arch support and deep heel seats. We examined one of these toe separating, contoured sandals (TSCS) to assess the user perception and biomechanical impact of this new trend of modifications. Twenty subjects participated in this study which examined step length differences and participant satisfaction comparing TSCS to generic thong style flip-flops.
Methods: To access subject satisfaction, 20 volunteer female participants were asked to complete a 21-question user satisfaction survey. Step length was examined using the Pedigait motion capture and video gait analysis system. Step length differences between sandal types were compared using a paired T-test.
Results: Evaluation of the data revealed that subjects reported positive perceptions with respect to stability (97%), support (75%), balance (65%), and flexibility (45%) afforded by the TSCS. The TSCS were associated with a significantly greater average step length than that of the control flip-flop (3.6 vs. 3.2; p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Through subjective (user perceptions) and objective (measured step length events) means it was determined that TSCS provide an improved means of ambulation as compared to traditional thong style flip-flops.
