Thesis supervisor: Gusztáv Fekete
co-supervisor: András Kovács
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Pannonia Abbreviation of location of studies: PE
Description of the research topic:
Children’s footwear plays an important role in the healthy growth of foot and gait development during the growing stage. The topic aims to synthesize findings of previous investigations and to explore the biomechanical influences of different types of children’s footwear on foot health and gait development, thus guiding the healthy and safe growth of children’s feet and gait. It must be noted that the following five aspects of biomechanical parameters were identified in the literature, including spatiotemporal, kinematics, kinetics, electromyography (EMG), and plantar pressure distribution. Children’s footwear can affect their foot health and gait performance. In addition, children’s shoes with different flexibility and sole hardness have different effects on children’s feet and gait development. Future studies may need to evaluate the influence of footwear types on gait performance of children in different age groups. Findings of this dissertation may provide recommendations for suitable footwear types for different ages, achieving the aim of growth and development in a healthy and safe manner.