MORPHOMETRIC CHANGES OF THE FEMALE FOOT DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

The article examines morphometric and biomechanical changes in women’s feet during pregnancy and the postpartum recovery period as a complex process of musculoskeletal transformation. It was established that increased body weight, displacement of the center of gravity, and hormonally induced factors cause a systemic restructuring of the spatial and volumetric parameters of the foot. These changes are manifested by a decrease in the longitudinal arch height, an increase in foot length and width, enlargement of girth parameters in the ball region, instep girth, and diagonal girth of the foot, as well as an expansion of the support area.

It was shown that the most pronounced changes occur during the third trimester of pregnancy, when the increase in volumetric foot parameters reaches 0.8–2.5 cm and is accompanied by an elevation of plantar pressure up to 320–345 kPa, an increase in contact area, and the formation of adaptive load redistribution mechanisms. At the same time, periodic swelling of the lower leg is observed, particularly during the late stages of gestation. In the postpartum period, most parameters demonstrate a tendency toward partial recovery; however, complete restoration to baseline values is not always achieved, indicating the partial irreversibility of morphological changes.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in conducting anthropometric measurements within a group of women with similar baseline characteristics, which minimized the influence of individual variability and enabled the identification of objective patterns in the dynamics of morphometric changes in the foot and lower leg during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of foot shape and volume transformation were generalized, their relationship with load distribution indicators and somatometric body parameters was determined, and the influence of increased body weight, edema, and center-of-gravity displacement on these changes was established. The obtained results provide a scientific basis for the development of adaptive insoles, improvement of shoe lasts and footwear design for pregnant women, as well as the implementation of adjustable elements and fastening systems that ensure variable fit and comfort during use.