Especially during pregnancy ...
particular attention should be paid to footwear that fits well and supports the feet. In addition to comfort, the focus here is also on the orthopedic component. Prof. Dr. Manuel Sabeti-Aschraf from the Medical University of Vienna explains why this is so important. Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters. These are fluidly connected. In each of these trimesters, the maternal body undergoes physiological processes that enable and facilitate childbirth. Typically, the mother's weight increases significantly, especially towards the end of pregnancy. In addition, muscle mass decreases and connective tissue becomes softer. Biomechanics also change from head to toe.
What exactly do these changes mean for the foot?
Hormones: Estrogen has a confirmed effect on the increase of water content in the maternal body. This leads to a functional loosening, especially of the connective tissue, but also of the muscles. Relaxin, another hormone, has an enzymatic effect on collagen fibers and can significantly reduce their strength and number. Both hormones are particularly high in the last trimester.
Body weight: The average weight gain of the mother is approx. 15-25%. The increase in mass is found in the lower abdominal area and the breasts. Naturally, this leads to a massive shift in the body's center of gravity.
Biomechanics:
The pelvis tilts significantly more forward and the lumbar spine (LS) enters a hollow-back position. Current studies have shown that the physiological pendulum movement in the pelvis and lumbar region is significantly reduced in heavily pregnant women compared to those in the 2nd trimester. Additionally, it was shown that the hips are more strongly abducted and externally rotated. This significantly shortens the contact time of the foot with the ground when walking. Furthermore, the mechanical axis no longer passes physiologically through the foot while walking. Due to the strong external rotation of the foot, it no longer runs over the big toe/forefoot area but over the midfoot area of the big toe.
Especially during pregnancy ...
particular attention should be paid to footwear that fits well and supports the feet. In addition to comfort, the focus here is also on the orthopedic component. Prof. Dr. Manuel Sabeti-Aschraf from the Medical University of Vienna explains why this is so important. Pregnancy is divided into 3 trimesters. These are fluidly connected. In each of these trimesters, the maternal body undergoes physiological processes that enable and facilitate childbirth. Typically, the mother's weight increases significantly, especially towards the end of pregnancy. In addition, muscle mass decreases and connective tissue becomes softer. Biomechanics also change from head to toe.
What exactly do these changes mean for the foot?
Hormones: Estrogen has a confirmed effect on the increase of water content in the maternal body. This leads to a functional loosening, especially of the connective tissue, but also of the muscles. Relaxin, another hormone, has an enzymatic effect on collagen fibers and can significantly reduce their strength and number. Both hormones are particularly high in the last trimester.
Body weight: The average weight gain of the mother is approx. 15-25%. The increase in mass is found in the lower abdominal area and the breasts. Naturally, this leads to a massive shift in the body's center of gravity.
Biomechanics:
The pelvis tilts significantly more forward and the lumbar spine (LS) enters a hollow-back position. Current studies have shown that the physiological pendulum movement in the pelvis and lumbar region is significantly reduced in heavily pregnant women compared to those in the 2nd trimester. Additionally, it was shown that the hips are more strongly abducted and externally rotated. This significantly shortens the contact time of the foot with the ground when walking. Furthermore, the mechanical axis no longer passes physiologically through the foot while walking. Due to the strong external rotation of the foot, it no longer runs over the big toe/forefoot area but over the midfoot area of the big toe.