Effect of high heeled footwear heights on lower limb kinematics

The use of heels is common in women. Heeled shoes affect a person's walking pattern and posture.Often these people have back pain. In this study, the effect of heel height on speed and accelerationwhile walking is investigated. A female subject with normal condition was tested. The subject walkedon a treadmill in high heels at speeds of 1, 2, 4 km/h and heels with heights of 3, 5, 7 cm and barefoot. Video recording of this movement was done at a frequency of 60 Hz. Image analysis andextraction of motion data were performed using tracker software. Decreasing the flexion, extensionangle of the knee was significantly noticed at 5 and 7 cm heels. It is suggested to take EMG in futuredue to the probable bad effects of chronic contraction of knee muscles.

Keywords:

Heeled shoes , Kinematics , Lower limb , Motion analysis