A case study of Chinese bound feet: application of footprint analysis
Reischl, U.; Nandikolla, V.; Colby, C.; Mijović, B.; Wei, H.-C.
Collegium Antropologicum 32(2): 629-632
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0350-6134 PMID: 18756921 Document Number: 615404
Foot print patterns of the bound feet of a 90-year-old Chinese female were made to obtain insight into the ergonomic consequences of a Chinese custom that caused significant disabilities for many women throughout history. Pressure patterns were evaluated using the techniques applied to standard thumb print analsyis. A digital summary of the pressure patterns were compared to the patterns obtained from a normal subject. The outcomes indicated that the bound foot produced greater plantar tissue pressures than the non-bound foot. These observations help explain the discomfort, gait abnormalities, and disabilities exhibited by many older women with bound feet living in China today. Although foot-binding is no longer practiced, this study offers an ergonomic perspective on a custom practiced in China for centuries.