The effect of different heel heights on gastrocnemius and erector spinae electromyography activity and spinal curvatures.
Item
- Title
- The effect of different heel heights on gastrocnemius and erector spinae electromyography activity and spinal curvatures.
- Author(s)
- Smith, Thomas
- Abstract
- BackgroundAn increase in heel height (HH) of shoes are said to increase lumbar lordosis and increase the muscular activity. As a consequence, wearing HH is suggested to be a cause of musculoskeletal injury and low back pain. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether different HH increase lumbar lordosis and medial gastrocnemius (MG) and lumbar erector spinae (LES) Electromyography (EMG) activities. MethodsSixteen asymptomatic male and female students were included in the study. Each subject stood statically for five minutes in 5 foot conditions; barefoot, an everyday shoe and 2, 4 and 6 inch heel wedges. EMG activity was recorded from MG and LES during the activity. Polhemus FASTRAK was used to measure spinal curves after a five minute EMG interval.ResultsEMG data did not show a statistical significant difference among MG and LES EMG channels recorded (P = 0.999) or between the different shoe types (P = 0.549). EMG channels did not depended on heel height (P = 0.485). Spinal angles showed a statistical significant difference (P = <0.001) but not between different heel heights type (P = 0.924) or between spinal angle and different heel heights (P = 0.988). ConclusionIn the standing posture, different HH did not have a statistical significant difference on lumbar lordosis or electromyography. In this study, there was some change in spinal curves but not significant. This study provides information that will inform future research on how HH affects muscle activity of the MG and LES.
- presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 2015
- Date Submitted
- 13.11.2018 10:52:33
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Number of pages
- 17
- Submitted by:
- 4457
- Pub-Identifier
- 16285
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Keywords
- High Heels; EMG; Lordosis; Low back pain; Spine; Osteopathy
- Recommended
- 1
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith, Thomas, “The effect of different heel heights on gastrocnemius and erector spinae electromyography activity and spinal curvatures.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/2069