{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,4,28]],"date-time":"2026-04-28T19:49:46Z","timestamp":1777405786193,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":36,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,29]],"date-time":"2024-07-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1722211200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Clinics and Practice"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: In this study, we hypothesized that safety footwear (SF) impacts gait patterns, potentially contributing to the podiatric symptoms reported by workers. The purpose of this work was to compare the gait analyses of workers wearing SF and sneakers using inertial sensors while also examining the occurrence of foot problems. Methods: A consecutive cohort of workers from different occupational sectors who wore SF during their work shifts were prospectively assessed through a gait analysis. The gait analysis was conducted under two conditions: first, while wearing SF, and second, while wearing sneakers. In both conditions, inertial sensors were used (Wiva\u00ae MOB). Participants also underwent a podiatric physical examination to evaluate foot problems. Results: This study shows that SF resulted in a worsening gait pattern compared to sneakers in both genders. The impact was particularly pronounced in female participants, resulting in a significant decline in walking speed and cadence. Discomfort was reported by 83.3% of participants, with a higher prevalence in females (46.6% vs. 36.6%). The SF group exhibited an elevated prevalence of foot problems, with no significant gender variations. It seems that foot problems are more likely to occur when a foot deformity, such as flat or cavus foot or hallux valgus, is present. Conclusions: This study suggests that SF may contribute to the reported podiatric symptoms among workers. Certain footwear characteristics, including weight, mis-fit, and inadequate design, may be factors associated with footwear discomfort and adverse gait patterns, potentially leading to increased foot problems among workers.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/clinpract14040120","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,8,1]],"date-time":"2024-08-01T18:04:59Z","timestamp":1722535499000},"page":"1496-1506","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Safety Footwear Impact on Workers\u2019 Gait and Foot Problems: A Comparative Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6486-6300","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alberto","family":"Arceri","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9974-4787","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Antonio","family":"Mazzotti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Sofia Gaia","family":"Liosi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-0867-1338","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Simone Ottavio","family":"Zielli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9279-4722","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elena","family":"Artioli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Laura","family":"Langone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0196-101X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Francesco","family":"Traina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Ortopedia, Traumatologia e Chirurgia Protesica e dei Reimpianti di Anca e Ginocchio, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Lorenzo","family":"Brognara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Cesare","family":"Faldini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"1st Orthopaedics and Traumatologic Clinic, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy"},{"name":"Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40123 Bologna, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,7,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"404","DOI":"10.1539\/joh.15-0193-OA","article-title":"Influence of different safety shoes on gait and plantar pressure: A standardized examination of workers in the automotive industry","volume":"58","author":"Ochsmann","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. 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