The effects of walking, running, and shoe size on foot volumetrics

Objectives. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of walking and running on foot volumetrics, and its relationship between measured foot size and preferred shoe size. Design. This study was a single-group, repeated measures design. Twenty-eight physical therapy students participated in the testing. Methods. Following 10 min of supine rest, a pre-exercise volumetric measurement of the right leg was obtained. Shoe size and foot length measurements were taken. Subjects were randomly assigned to a treatment condition (walking or running). The treadmill speed was set at a comfortable pace for each participant during exercise. Foot volume measurements were taken after the exercise. Subjects returned the next week to participate in the second condition. Results. Paired t-tests were used to compare differences in outcome variables. Significant increases in fluid volumes were noted within groups after walking (2%) and running (3%) and between groups in the post-walk and post-run values (1.7%). A weak positive correlation was noted between changes in volume during running and the measured difference between foot size and shoe size (r = 0.39; p = 0.038). Conclusions. Treadmill running for 10 min may lead to significantly greater foot volume compared to treadmill walking for the same period. Results also demonstrate that the greater the measured difference between shoe size and foot size, the greater the foot volume after running. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.