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An independent research study conducted at Texas A&M University–San Antonio, by Carlos Tamayo and John D. Smith, Ph.D., evaluated the reliability of the Volumental 3D foot scanner for health professionals and athletes. The results show that the scanner delivers highly consistent measurements across repeated scans, supporting its use in footwear retail, sports, and clinical environments.
Foot shape and size are not static. Movement, load, and activity can all influence how the foot behaves. For footwear fitting, injury prevention, and performance, it is essential that measurement technology delivers consistent results, even when scanning conditions vary.
This study addresses a key question: can the Volumental 3D foot scanner be trusted to produce stable measurements before and after moderate physical activity?
The purpose of the study was to assess the reliability of the Volumental foot scan app and scanner before and after a 30-minute jog.
Twenty adult participants completed two testing sessions. In each session:
Six foot dimensions were analyzed:
Statistical analysis focused on identifying differences between pre- and post-run scans, between left and right feet, and across repeated trials. Measurement reliability was assessed using intraclass reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha).
The study found no statistically significant differences between pre-run and post-run measurements for:
A statistically significant difference was observed between left and right heel width, with the left heel being approximately 3 mm narrower. This difference was consistent across trials and was most likely not caused by jogging.
Most importantly, measurement reliability was excellent across all dimensions, with reliability scores above 0.90 for every measure. This indicates very high consistency between repeated scans.
The results show that the Volumental 3D foot scanner produces stable and repeatable measurements, even after moderate physical activity. This is particularly relevant for real-world environments such as:
Customers and professionals can rely on the scan results as a consistent foundation for size, fit, and product recommendations.
The study had several limitations related to participant monitoring and standardization. Participants were not observed during their jog, so some may have taken breaks despite instructions not to. Warm-up routines were not standardized, which could have affected swelling or allowed some participants to exercise longer than the intended 30 minutes. Additionally, delays in returning for the second scan may have prevented the scanner from detecting changes in foot dimensions.
Future research could further validate the scanner by comparing its measurements to traditional gold-standard tools, such as digital or sliding calipers, to assess absolute accuracy.
This independent study confirms that the Volumental 3D foot scanner delivers highly reliable measurements across repeated scans and after physical activity. The findings support its use as a dependable measurement tool for footwear brands, retailers, athletes, and health professionals.
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