GaitNCT07167472
Effects of Heel Height on Gait Parameters
An observational study of Gait and Locomotion, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This observational study aims to investigate the effects of different shoe heel heights on gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. Each participant will be assessed under three conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Gait, Locomotion
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2025to 1 May 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Study population: Healthy adult volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait. Participants will be assessed under three heel height conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel) to examine the impact on gait spatiotemporal parameters and pelvic kinematics.
Who may be able to join
- Healthy adults, aged 18-35 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²)
- Foot structure compatible with shoe size
- Voluntarily agrees to participate and provide informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Use of orthotics or insoles
- History of musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait
- Lower extremity injury or surgery within the past 6 months
- Chronic ankle instability
- Receiving treatment related to the lower extremities within the past 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Investigation of the Effects of Shoe Heel Heights on Gait Parameters in Healthy Individuals
This observational study aims to investigate the effects of different shoe heel heights on gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. Each participant will be assessed under three conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, step length, stance and swing phase percentages, gait cycle duration) and pelvic kinematics (tilt, obliquity, rotation symmetry) will be measured using the BTS-G wireless sensor system. The study seeks to identify biomechanical differences associated with heel height and to provide data that may contribute to shoe design and individualized rehabilitation strategies.
Read the detailed description
This prospective observational crossover study will be conducted at Yuksek Ihtisas University. Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal body mass index and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait will be recruited. Participants will be excluded if they use orthotics, have had lower extremity injuries or surgery in the past 6 months, or have chronic ankle instability.
Each participant will undergo gait assessments under three randomized shoe conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. A BTS-G (BTS Bioengineering, Italy) wireless inertial sensor will be placed at the L4-L5 level to record spatiotemporal gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in the anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes during a 10-meter walk at a self-selected speed. The primary variables will include gait speed, cadence, stride length, stance and swing phase percentages, and gait cycle duration. Pelvic tilt, obliquity, and rotation symmetry indices will also be evaluated
- Conditions
- Gait, Locomotion
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Adults with Normal BMI | Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI, assessed under three walking conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel). |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Gait Speed Across Heel Height Conditions
Self-selected walking speed (meters/second (m/s)) measured with BTS-G wireless sensor during a 10-meter walk under three conditions: barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Cadence Across Heel Height Conditions
Step cadence (steps/min) assessed with BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Stride Length Across Heel Height Conditions
Stride length (cm) obtained using BTS-G sensor during walking trials under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Stance and Swing Phase Percentages
Percentage of stance (%) and swing phases (%) of the gait cycle calculated by BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic tilt
Pelvic tilt recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic obliquity
Pelvic obliquity recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Change in Pelvic Kinematics- pelvic rotation
Pelvic rotation recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Measured: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Body Mass Index (BMI)
ody weight and height will be measured, and BMI will be calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Recorded at baseline for all participants. Its unit is kg/m2.
Measured: Baseline (single assessment before gait analysis).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Jul 2025
- Primary completion30 Jan 2026
- Study completion1 May 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for GaitStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Hacettepe UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yuksek Ihtisas University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Güngör Beyza ÖZVAR, Hacettepe University
- Investigators
- Mıyaser Medıne Gok, Principal investigator, Yuksek Ihtisas UniversityBusra Kalkan Balak, Study director, Yuksek Ihtisas UniversityGungor Beyza Ozvar Senoz, Principal investigator, Yuksek Ihtisas UniversitySevılay Seda Bas, Principal investigator, Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07167472
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Heel Height
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 22 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Investigation of the Effects of Shoe Heel Heights on Gait Parameters in Healthy Individuals
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07167472
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Heel Height
- Conditions
- Gait, Locomotion
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Hacettepe UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Yuksek Ihtisas University
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 May 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 11 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This observational study aims to investigate the effects of different shoe heel heights on gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in healthy adults aged 18-35 years. Each participant will be assessed under three conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. Spatiotemporal gait parameters (gait speed, cadence, step length, stance and swing phase percentages, gait cycle duration) and pelvic kinematics (tilt, obliquity, rotation symmetry) will be measured using the BTS-G wireless sensor system. The study seeks to identify biomechanical differences associated with heel height and to provide data that may contribute to shoe design and individualized rehabilitation strategies.
Detailed description
This prospective observational crossover study will be conducted at Yuksek Ihtisas University. Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal body mass index and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait will be recruited. Participants will be excluded if they use orthotics, have had lower extremity injuries or surgery in the past 6 months, or have chronic ankle instability.
Each participant will undergo gait assessments under three randomized shoe conditions: barefoot, wearing shoes with 2 cm heels, and wearing shoes with 6 cm heels. A BTS-G (BTS Bioengineering, Italy) wireless inertial sensor will be placed at the L4-L5 level to record spatiotemporal gait parameters and pelvic kinematics in the anteroposterior, mediolateral, and vertical axes during a 10-meter walk at a self-selected speed. The primary variables will include gait speed, cadence, stride length, stance and swing phase percentages, and gait cycle duration. Pelvic tilt, obliquity, and rotation symmetry indices will also be evaluated
Study design
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Adults with Normal BMI | – | –Healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI, assessed under three walking conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
- Study population
- Healthy adult volunteers aged 18-35 years with normal BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m²) and no musculoskeletal or neurological conditions affecting gait. Participants will be assessed under three heel height conditions (barefoot, 2 cm heel, 6 cm heel) to examine the impact on gait spatiotemporal parameters and pelvic kinematics.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Healthy adults, aged 18-35 years
- Body Mass Index (BMI) within normal range (18.5-24.9 kg/m²)
- Foot structure compatible with shoe size
- Voluntarily agrees to participate and provide informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Use of orthotics or insoles
- History of musculoskeletal conditions affecting gait
- Lower extremity injury or surgery within the past 6 months
- Chronic ankle instability
- Receiving treatment related to the lower extremities within the past 6 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Change in Gait Speed Across Heel Height Conditions
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Self-selected walking speed (meters/second (m/s)) measured with BTS-G wireless sensor during a 10-meter walk under three conditions: barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel.
Change in Cadence Across Heel Height Conditions
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Step cadence (steps/min) assessed with BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Change in Stride Length Across Heel Height Conditions
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Stride length (cm) obtained using BTS-G sensor during walking trials under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Change in Stance and Swing Phase Percentages
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Percentage of stance (%) and swing phases (%) of the gait cycle calculated by BTS-G sensor under barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions.
Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic tilt
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Pelvic tilt recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Change in Pelvic Kinematics-pelvic obliquity
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Pelvic obliquity recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Change in Pelvic Kinematics- pelvic rotation
Time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)
Pelvic rotation recorded with BTS-G sensor across barefoot, 2 cm heel, and 6 cm heel conditions. It will be recorded as a degree.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time frame: Baseline (single assessment before gait analysis).
ody weight and height will be measured, and BMI will be calculated as weight (kg) divided by height squared (m²). Recorded at baseline for all participants. Its unit is kg/m2.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Gait
Not yet recruiting
Holistic Healing for Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis (Knee OA)
Not yet recruiting
Stair Biomechanics and Vibration Study After ACLR
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR), Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Not yet recruiting
Video-based Visual Feedback Combined With Task-oriented Physiotherapy Among Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Recruiting
Effects of Virtual Reality Environments on Walking in Adults With and Without Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee Osteoarthritis
Recruiting
Effects of Custom 3D Printed Insoles and Short Foot Exercises in Pes Planus
Pes Planus
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Mıyaser Medıne Gok principal investigator
Yuksek Ihtisas University
Busra Kalkan Balak study director
Yuksek Ihtisas University
Gungor Beyza Ozvar Senoz principal investigator
Yuksek Ihtisas University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Gait and Locomotion, run by Hacettepe University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Gait Speed Across Heel Height Conditions (time frame: At baseline session (single day, immediate assessment across three shoe conditions)). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 May 2026.