Abstract
BackgroundFlip-flops and sandals are popular choices of footwear due to their convenience. However, the effects of these types of footwear on lower extremity biomechanics are still poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate differences in ground reaction force (GRF), center of pressure (COP) and lower extremity joint kinematic and kinetic variables during level-walking in flip-flops, sandals and barefoot compared to running shoes.MethodsTen healthy males performed five walking trials in the four footwear conditions at 1.3 m/s. Three-dimensional GRF and kinematic data were simultaneously collected.ResultsA smaller loading rate of the 1st peak vertical GRF and peak propulsive GRF and greater peak dorsiflexion moment in early stance were found in shoes compared to barefoot, flip-flops and sandals. Barefoot walking yielded greater mediolateral COP displacement, flatter foot contact angle, increased ankle plantarflexion contact angle, and smaller knee flexion contact angle and range of motion compared to all other footwear.ConclusionsThe results from this study indicate that barefoot, flip-flops and sandals produced different peak GRF variables and ankle moment compared to shoes while all footwear yield different COP and ankle and knee kinematics compared to barefoot. The findings may be helpful to researchers and clinicians in understanding lower extremity mechanics of open-toe footwear.
Highlights
Flip-flops and sandals are popular choices of footwear due to their convenience
Loading rate of 1st peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) was smaller in shoes compared to barefoot, sandals and flip-flops
The peak propulsive GRF was lower in shoes compared to barefoot, sandals and flip-flops
Summary
Flip-flops and sandals are popular choices of footwear due to their convenience. the effects of these types of footwear on lower extremity biomechanics are still poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate differences in ground reaction force (GRF), center of pressure (COP) and lower extremity joint kinematic and kinetic variables during level-walking in flip-flops, sandals and barefoot compared to running shoes. Shroyer et al [9] showed that walking in flip-flops resulted in a shorter stride length, a shorter stance time, a smaller braking ground reaction force (GRF) impulse, and a larger ankle contact angle compared to running shoes in both men and women. The ankle angle stayed more dorsiflexed during early stance in flip-flops compared to barefoot walking Because these previous two studies used knee osteoarthritis and children populations [7,8], it is difficult to generalize their findings to a healthy adult population
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