Our findings suggest that age influences the structural characteristics and response of the heel fat pad to mechanical loading. Thicker heel fat pad layers in middle-aged and elderly individuals under no-load conditions may reflect age-related changes in fat distribution or composition. Moreover, differences in load-induced thickness changes indicate altered mechanical properties with age, potentially affecting shock absorption and overall foot function. Understanding these age-related variations can help develop interventions aimed at preserving foot health and mobility across the lifespan.