A Study of Arch Support to Improve Balance and Foot Strain of the Ballroom Dancers with Flat Foot.

• Main Authors: Hsiao-Ling Hung, 洪曉玲
• Other Authors: Chih-Yuan Lo
• Format: Others
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/31181373950513959047

碩士 === 大同大學 === 工業設計學系(所) === 96 === In recent years, ballroom dancing has emerged from a social activity to become a dance competition and a daily physical sport participated in by many with increasing popularity. However, just like any other regular sport, incidents such as foot discomfort and injuries are not uncommon among ballroom dancers. In this research, a field investigation comprised of a survey and foot image scanning for subjects was conducted. Out of the 29 subjects who completed the survey, 22 took part in a footprint scanning process. From the results of the investigation, we were able to identify the causes that lead to foot discomfort and poor balance for dancers: (1) wearing dance shoes or shoes with heels; (2) flat foot arches; (3) specific dance routines such as the quick tempo Latin or the lively Cha-cha-cha. Findings of the investigation showed that a substantial number of ballroom dancers wearing dance shoes or shoes with heels suffer from foot discomfort, fatigue and poor balance. In addition, most of the subjects (who practice ballroom dancing) in fact have flat foot arches (62.1%). Subjects with flat feet (regardless of severity of the condition) have responded that they have experienced noticeable foot discomfort and fatigue while practicing ballroom dancing. Based on the content of literatures referred for the purpose of this research, the results of the field investigation and the data from subjects’ foot image scanning, two types of arch support were designed and developed using EVA materials with a hardness of 30 specially designed for ballroom dancers with varying degree of flat feet. 20 subjects were screened and selected from the field investigation to participate in the post-test experiment. 9 subjects were placed in the experimental group and asked to wear identical dance shoes for a week while dancing. These subjects were then asked to complete a questionnaire. At the same time, subjects were given the experimental arch support we have developed in this research according to the severity of their flat feet. They were asked to complete another questionnaire after two weeks of usage. The 11 subjects in the compare group were asked to wear their own shoes (which they were used to wearing) while dancing during the period of the experiment before completing the two-stage questionnaire on their experience of foot discomfort. Results from the analyses of these questionnaires indicated that the arch support developed for the research alleviated painful sensations for flat feet dancers by 39.63%, improved their balance by 46.30% and reduced foot fatigue by 39.37%. However, subjects have also brought up the point that it took a significant period of time before they become accustomed to using the arch support due to comfort factors. In other words, manufacturers of dance shoes or assisting devices could improve upon their products in the areas of material application, surface area and thickness design.