Foot Growth and Shoe Size: Understanding Individual Variations, Lecture notes of Sociology of Childhood

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Child Foot and Shoe

Child Foot and Shoe

Sizes

Sizes

Summary of a Small Study Summary of a Small Study

By Mark Gleason, Search and Rescue Tracking Institute, Virginia

The Question

The Question

“The missing subject is a three

“The missing subject is a three

year old male.

How large of

year old male.

How large of

a track are we looking for?”

a track are we looking for?”

Other Common Questions

Other Common Questions

► ►

Can you identify a barefoot size from a Can you identify a barefoot size from a

recently worn shoe? recently worn shoe?

► ►

Can wear patterns on older shoes help Can wear patterns on older shoes help

identify a missing subject wearing another identify a missing subject wearing another

set of shoes? set of shoes?

► ►

Can you use shoes in the child’s closet to Can you use shoes in the child’s closet to

obtain a size range for the currently worn obtain a size range for the currently worn

shoe? shoe?

Purpose of Original Study

Purpose of Original Study

To challenge assumptions about

To challenge assumptions about

the relationship between foot size

the relationship between foot size

and age.

and age.

To learn information that may be

To learn information that may be

helpful when following the trails of

helpful when following the trails of

missing children.

missing children.

Starting with the Conclusions

Starting with the Conclusions

► ►

The are very few studies that describe the The are very few studies that describe the

relationship between foot length, foot width, relationship between foot length, foot width,

and height as they relate to age.

and height as they relate to age.

► ►

Existing studies have found no consistent Existing studies have found no consistent

association between foot print symmetry, association between foot print symmetry,

age, height and body weight, or shoe size. age, height and body weight, or shoe size.

► ►

I concur with these scientific studies! I concur with these scientific studies!

So Where Does This Leave Us?

So Where Does This Leave Us?

► ►

It is difficult to answer the question, “The It is difficult to answer the question, “The

missing subject is a three year old male. missing subject is a three year old male.

How large of a track are we looking for?” How large of a track are we looking for?”

► ►

You could stop right here!

Or you could

You could stop right here!

Or you could

read further. read further.

► ►

Perhaps there is something here that you Perhaps there is something here that you

will find helpful, or simply find better will find helpful, or simply find better

questions to ask while in the field. questions to ask while in the field.

Foot Construction

Foot Construction

► ►

26 small bones/35 joints 26 small bones/35 joints

► ►

Tendons coming from large muscle groups Tendons coming from large muscle groups

► ►

Ligaments and muscles Ligaments and muscles

► ►

Circulatory arteries and veins Circulatory arteries and veins

► ►

Lymph nodes and nerves Lymph nodes and nerves

► ►

This makes for a small area with a lot going This makes for a small area with a lot going

on. on.

Foot Configurations

Foot Configurations

► ►

Feet have an endless variety of Feet have an endless variety of

configurations. configurations.

► ►

Variations can occur in overall shape, toe Variations can occur in overall shape, toe

and ball length, width, bone structure, and ball length, width, bone structure,

muscle mass. muscle mass.

Individual Foot Characteristics

Individual Foot Characteristics

► ►

Can change as a result of different: Can change as a result of different:

Activities (ex. Running v. walking) Activities (ex. Running v. walking)

Mediums (sand v. dirt) Mediums (sand v. dirt)

Landscapes (flat v. steep) Landscapes (flat v. steep)

Times of day (ex. Foot tends to be longer Times of day (ex. Foot tends to be longer

in the morning) in the morning)

An Overview of Changes

An Overview of Changes

► ►

As child ages, there are increases in step As child ages, there are increases in step

and stride length, and decreases in and stride length, and decreases in

cadence.(3) cadence.(3)

► ►

The length and width of children’s feet The length and width of children’s feet

increase linearly as child ages (4) increase linearly as child ages (4)

ƒ ƒ

from age 3 to 12 in girls, from age 3 to 12 in girls,

ƒ ƒ

From age 3 to 15 in boys. From age 3 to 15 in boys.

“Flat Feet” due to (6)

“Flat Feet” due to (6)

► ►

Poor muscle tone in the foot Poor muscle tone in the foot

► ►

Generous padding of fat. Generous padding of fat.

► ►

Weak ligaments in the Weak ligaments in the

medial arch. medial arch.

ƒ ƒ

Permit the foot to lean inwards Permit the foot to lean inwards

ƒ ƒ

Will begin to strengthen as Will begin to strengthen as

child learns to walk child learns to walk

ƒ ƒ

Normal arch appears by age 5 Normal arch appears by age 5

The Walking Child

The Walking Child

► ►

Children begin walking by 12 Children begin walking by 12-

-15 months

15 months

► ►

Walking gait erratic Walking gait erratic

ƒ ƒ

Due to posture and leg alignment Due to posture and leg alignment

ƒ ƒ

Speed and rhythm variable Speed and rhythm variable

► ►

Wide base Wide base

► ►

Reciprocal arm swing usually absent Reciprocal arm swing usually absent

► ►

Difficulty running, falls a lot Difficulty running, falls a lot

Other Developments

Other Developments

► ►

Age 4, most can stand, hop on one foot, Age 4, most can stand, hop on one foot,

and arm swing is regular and arm swing is regular

► ►

Age 5: Normal arches usually developed Age 5: Normal arches usually developed

► ►

Age 6:

Develops approximation of their

Age 6:

Develops approximation of their

mature gait.

Stride lengths become equal,

mature gait.

Stride lengths become equal,

and arm swing is balanced.

Each leg

and arm swing is balanced.

Each leg

contacts the ground for same length of contacts the ground for same length of

time, and forward motion is smooth. time, and forward motion is smooth.

► ►

Age 6:

Child’s trunk usually centered

Age 6:

Child’s trunk usually centered

over legs. Until that time:

over legs. Until that time:

Children can appear as “toe walkers”.

Children can appear as “toe walkers”.

Function of anatomy

Function of anatomy

► ►

Poor muscle control

Poor muscle control

► ►

Trunk not centered over legs

Trunk not centered over legs

► ►

Abdomen forward

Abdomen forward