Effects of shoe collar height and sole hardness on balance in older women

Effects of sole hardness and shoe collar height have been studies as they relate to balance in older women and finding show balance is better with high collars with sole hardness not related. The subjects, of whom there were 42, were aged 60-92. The view that stability around the heel and ankle is a desirable feature for footwear in the age group studied is widely held, but no studies had evaluated it. In a related study ability to balance in cowboy boots and tennis shoes was evaluated in young women. Performance was poorer in the boots.