Investigating the differences in muscle activity in the lower extremity between regular wearers and non-regular wearers of high heel shoes

Item

Title: Investigating the differences in muscle activity in the lower extremity between regular wearers and non-regular wearers of high heel shoes
Author(s): Austin Alexandra
Abstract: ABSTRACT
AIM: The Aim of this study was to directly determine the differences in muscle activity of gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles of the lower extremity comparing regular high heel wearers (trained) and non- regular high heel wearers (untrained) during stance.
INTRODUCTION: Postural control is a neuromechanical response concerned with the maintainence of equilibrium. Muscular activity provides an automatic postural control during quiet and perturbed standing. The introduction of high heel shoes during stance provides marked changes in the postural control strategies to compensate for increased plantar flexion and changes base of support during anterior and posterior sway. The plantarflexor and dorsiflexior muscles of the lower extremity provide an 'ankle strategy' which is key in initiating a stabilising response during stance. Previous studies state that during high heeled stance, EMG activity of the gastrocnemius increases. Other studies state that EMG activity of the tibialis anterior increases. Few studies have compared EMG activity of regular high heel wearers with non regular high heel wearers, in order to assess possible differences in 'ankle strategy'.
METHODOLOGY: 30 female subjects (15 regular high heel wearers and 15 non regular high heel wearers). Electromyographic study of gastrocnemius lateralis and tibialis anterior during barefoot and high heel stance (shoe heel height > 7cms / 3inches) respectively.
RESULTS: Right and left legs were not found to be significantly different (P=>0.05) in either subject group. Comparison of muscle activity during barefoot and high heel stance for gastrocnnemius was found to be significant (P=<0.05) for both subject groups but was not significant for tibialis anterior muscle for either subject group. Comparison of muscle activity between the subject groups was not found to be significantly different during barefoot and high heeled stance. There was negative correlation between gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior for both subject groups.
DISCUSSION: There was increased gastrocnemius activity for both subject groups during high heeled stance but this did not apply to tibialis anterior showing lack of co-activation between agonist and antagonist muscle during high heeled stance. Lack of statistical evidence when comparing regular and non regular high heel wearers failed to provide evidence of possible differences of ankle strategy between the groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The study was inconclusive in determining differences between regular and non regular high heel wearers. However increased gastrocnemius activity was demonstrated for both groups during high heeled stance. It suggests muscular imbalance in the lower extremity between the agonist and antagonist muscles resulting in inefficient postural control during high heel usage. A larger study may have provided further evidence of differences in muscle activity between the regular and non regular high heel wearers.
presented at: British College of Osteopathic Medicine
Date Accepted: 0
Date Submitted: 1.1.1970 00:00:00
Type: osteo_thesis
Language: English
Submitted by:: 62
Pub-Identifier: 13619
Inst-Identifier: 1076
Recommended: 0

Item sets: Thesis

Austin Alexandra, “Investigating the differences in muscle activity in the lower extremity between regular wearers and non-regular wearers of high heel shoes”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed April 23, 2025, https://library.wso.at/s/orw/item/1138