| Sumario: | Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of changes in posture and feet when non-pregnant women wear a jacket designed to simulate pregnancy. Methods Measurements were conducted using a pregnancy simulation jacket manufactured by Koken Co., Ltd. (weighing approximately 7.3 kg) on 13 healthy female university students without any pregnancy or childbirth experiences. Spherical markers were attached to anatomical landmarks such as the anterior superior iliac spine and posterior superior iliac spine. Standing posture was photographed from the sagittal plane using a digital camera to calculate the pelvic tilt angle. A flexible curve ruler was used to trace the spinal curve, from which the thoracic kyphosis angle and lumbar lordosis angle were calculated. The state of foot sole contact was photographed using a Pedoscope, and image processing was applied to the captured sole contact area to extract footprints. The footprints were then classified according to the Noda classification method, and the ratio of foot sole contact area was calculated. Foot length and navicular height were measured to calculate the arch height ratio. Subsequently, participants wore the pregnancy simulation jacket and maintained a standing position for 20 minutes, after which the same measurements were taken. Statistical analysis was performed on the changes in each measurement item before and after wearing the jacket, with a significance level set at less than 5%. Results Wearing the pregnancy simulation jacket resulted in a significant increase in the lumbar lordosis angle (p < 0.05), a significant decrease in the arch height ratio for both the right and left feet (p < 0.01), and a significant increase in the right foot sole contact area ratio (p < 0.05). Significant changes were not observed in the pelvic tilt angle, thoracic kyphosis angle, left foot sole contact area ratio, or foot shape classification based on the Noda method because of wearing the jacket. Conclusion Wearing the pregnancy simulation jacket caused significant changes in the posture and feet of women. Therefore, in educational or learning settings where the jacket is used, adding scientific evidence to the physical changes experienced by the wearer can contribute to more effective interactions and a deeper understanding of the bodily changes associated with pregnancy.
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