Speed impacts joint power and work while walking in high heeled shoes

Abstract

High heel shoes remain a common footwear choice despite many negative side effects. Although preferred walking speeds are typically slower in heels some social and occupational settings may require individuals to match walking speeds of those in flat shoes. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of both high heel shoes and speed on joint power and mechanical work in walking. Thirteen healthy women (age 26 ± 7.8 years) participated in this study after completing the University approved informed consent process. Participants walked overground at matched preferred and faster than preferred speeds in a flat and 85 mm stiletto heel while kinematic and kinetic data were captured. There were smaller ankle but larger hip and knee peak powers and positive mechanical work for heels as compared to flats (p < 0.001). To walk faster, there were a greater increases in hip joint work (p = 0.004) but a smaller change in peak ankle work (p = 0.002) for heels as compared to flats. However, the relative contribution of the ankle and hip to total limb work did not significantly change with speed in either the heels or flats (p > 0.05). While there was a greater reliance on the hip and knee for forward propulsion in heels, the potential remained to increase the contribution of ankle at higher speeds. However, as a greater reliance on the hip for forward propulsion is more metabolically costly, the identified biomechanical differences in heels may impact metabolic demand of maintaining walking speeds similar to flat shoes.