Article

This study aimed to examine the effect of shoes with a rounded soft sole (Stretch
Walker: SW) on gait. Fifteen healthy male (mean age: 23.2) walked under three
conditions (SW, Flat-bottomed Shoe: FS, Barefoot: BF). Including walking speed,
stance time, step length were selected as temporal-spatial parameters. The angle
of hip, knee, and ankle joints during particular phases were selected as
kinematic parameters. Walking speed, stance time, step length and flexion angle
of the ankle joint at initial contact were greater when wearing either shoe than
walking BF; cadence was faster walking BF than wearing either shoe; double
support time increased (FS>SW>BF); step width was greater (FS>SW>BF); walking
angle was greater wearing the SW than wearing the FS and walking BF; and range of
motion and maximum flexion angle of the hip and knee joints were greater wearing
the FS than walking BF. In conclusion, wearing the SW with a heel-to-toe rocker
and soft sole changes the double support time, step width, and walking angle and
increases step length and walking speed compared to walking BF. The difference of
the range of motion in hip and knee joints was larger between walking BF and
wearing the FS than between walking BF and wearing the SW.
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Langue : ANGLAIS