Article

Wearing high-heeled shoes may produce deleterious effects on the
musculoskeletal system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in
electromyographic (EMG) activity of the erector spinae muscles and pelvis
kinematics during gait while wearing low- and high-heeled shoes in both young and
middle-aged adult women. DESIGN: In 31 young women (20-25 yrs) and 15 middle-aged
women (45-55 yrs) without back pain, the EMG activity of the erector spinae
muscle and pelvis kinematics in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes were
assessed during gait on flat surface at natural speeds in three conditions:
without shoes and in low- (4 cm) and high- (10 cm) heeled shoes. RESULTS: In
younger women, significant differences in lumbar erector spinae EMG activity were
observed during gait at initial ground contact as well as in toe off between the
three conditions, with an increasing amount of EMG activity being observed in
association with increased heel height. In middle-aged women, significantly
higher lumbar erector spinae EMG activity was noted during gait with high-heeled
shoes compared with gait without shoes. Interestingly, younger women exhibited an
increase in pelvic range of motion in the sagittal plane during high-heeled gait
compared with low-heeled gait and walking without shows; however, this
compensatory response was not observed in middle-aged women. CONCLUSIONS: From a
clinical perspective, increased lumbar erector spinae muscle activity associated
with wearing high-heeled shoes could exacerbate muscle overuse and lead to low
back problems. The lower pelvic range of motion associated with wearing high
heels in middle-aged women may indicate that tissues in the lumbopelvic region
become more rigid with age and that the harmful effect of high-heeled shoes on
posture and spinal tissues may be more pronounced with advancing age.

Langue : ANGLAIS