• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.36-44
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate the influence of shoe heel height and muscle fatigue on static and dynamic balance in young women. Thirty women who were used to wearing high heels volunteered to participate in this study. The shoe heel heights were 0 cm and 7 cm. And ankle plantar flexor fatigue was experimentally induced. Static and dynamic balance were measured using the one leg standing test (OLST) and the star excursion balance test (SEBT) in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions, respectively. Values in the OLST (shoe heel height 0 cm, $28.83{\pm}3.24$ sec to $26.12{\pm}6.13$ sec; and 7 cm, $24.75{\pm}7.09$ sec to $16.86{\pm}9.32$ sec) and the SEBT in anterior (shoe heel height 0 cm, $71.02{\pm}4.57%$ to $69.50{\pm}3.66%$; and 7 cm, $64.17{\pm}3.53%$ to $59.61{\pm}4.06%$) and posteromedial (shoe heel height 0 cm, $92.01{\pm}5.61%$ to $90.38{\pm}7.10%$; and 7 cm, $83.09{\pm}7.29%$ to $76.83{\pm}9.28%$) directions were significantly reduced when fatigue-inducing exercise was performed (p<.05). Furthermore, within these parameters, there were significant interaction effects between shoe heel height and fatigue condition (p<.05). These findings suggest that shoe heel height and muscle fatigue contribute to some changes in static and dynamic balance in young women, probably leading to negative effects on physical function during a variety of activities of daily living.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of shoulder abduction strength and EMG activities of the selected scapular and shoulder muscles during isometric shoulder abduction. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy young females were recruited for this study. Surface EMG equipment with inline force sensor was used to determine the shoulder abductor strength and the activity of the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and middle deltoid (MD) during three shoe heel height conditions: (1) barefoot, (2) 3-cm shoe heel height, and (3) 7-cm shoe heel height. RESULTS: Isometric shoulder strength showed statistically significant difference among the conditions (p<0.05), and post-hoc test showed lower strength during the 7-cm condition ($49.98{\pm}17.56kg$) than during the barefoot ($44.97{\pm}20.15kg$) and 3-cm conditions ($36.59{\pm}17.07kg$). Furthermore, EMG activities of the SA, UT, and MD appeared to be statistically significantly different among the conditions, with lower values in the 7-cm condition compared to the barefoot condition (p<0.05). EMG ratios (MD/UT and SA/UT) were lower during the 7-cm condition than during the barefoot condition (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that isometric shoulder abduction strength and EMG activities of scapular and shoulder muscles may be adversely changed with increasing shoe heel height.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.21-27
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the kinematic variables during walking on a downhill ramp according to the shoe heel height. METHODS: The subjects were 10 adult women with no history of musculoskeletal disorders who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a motion analysis system (VICON) consisting of six infrared cameras. The slope was 120 cm in width, 200 cm in length, and 15 in inclination. To confirm the change in gait parameters (stride length, gait speed) and lower extremity joint angle according to the heel heights of the shoes, flat, 5 cm, and 10 cm heel shoes were prepared and walked alternately. RESULTS: As a result, both the stride length and walking speed showed significant differences according to the heel height between flat and 10 cm (p<.05). In the sagittal plane, there was no significant difference in the hip joint and knee joint, but a significant difference was observed in all events in the ankle joint on all heel heights (p<.05). In particular, the heel strike and mid stance events showed significant differences among all height conditions (p<.05). No significant difference was observed in any of the joint angle changes in the frontal plane (p>.05). CONCLUSION: As the shoe heel height increased, the instability increased and efforts to secure the stability were made, leading to a shortened stride length, walking speed, and angle of the ankle joint.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 1986

This paper is concerned with the mutual relationship among interpressure, last. foot within a new shoe and foot within a fifty-hour-used shoe at the standing posture at three different heel-heights 1. The interrelationship between the heel-heights and interpressure is very significant at the level of $0.1\%$. The heel-heights cause high interpressure at different parts of foot; heel point and big toe point in a 3 cm-heel shoe, big toe point and heel outside joint point in a 5 cm-heel shoe, and little toe point, heel-outside joint point, and arch point in a 7 cm-heel shoe. 2. Foot girth and foot width measurements either within a new shoe or within a fifty-hour-used shoe significant at the level of $5\%,\;1\%,\;0.1\%$ and show discrepancies at three different heel heights; the part between instep and ball joint in a 3 cm-heel shoe, toe part in a 5 cm-heel shoe, heel-inside joint. heel-outside joint and toe part in a 7 cm-heel shoe are highly influenced by heel heights. The higher the shoe-hee15 are, the more heavily the fore part of foot is pressured in lateral direction because shoe is made to have high instep from a fashion viewpoint. Higher shoe heels prevent weight pressure from being concentrated on heel. If shoe heels are toe high, people in such shoes feel easily tired. It is very worthy of note in selecting shoes to consider not only the shoe fashion but also fore shoe type, heel height, and shoe material with proper elasticity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.16-23
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• 2019

Background: High-heeled shoes can change spinal alignment and feet movement, which leads to muscle fatigue and discomfort in lumbopelvic region, legs, and feet while walking. Objects: This study aimed to identify the effects of different shoe heel heights on the walking velocity and electromyographic (EMG) activities of the lower leg muscles during short- and long-distance walking in young females. Methods: Fifteen young females were recruited in this study. The experiments were performed with the following two different shoe heel heights: 0 cm and 7 cm. All participants underwent an electromyographic procedure to measure the activities and fatigue levels of the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), rectus femoris (RF), and hamstring muscles with each heel height during both short- and long-distance walking. The walking velocities were measured using the short-distance (10-m walk) and long-distance (6-min walk) walking tests. Results: Significant interaction effects were found between heel height and walking distance conditions for the EMG activities and fatigue levels of TA and MG muscles, and walking velocity (p<.05). The walking velocity and activities of the TA, MG, and RF muscles appeared to be significantly different between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during both short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Significant difference in the fatigue level of the MG muscle were found between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during long-distance walking. In addition, walking velocity and the fatigue level of the MG muscle at the 7 cm heel height revealed significant differences in the comparison of short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that higher shoe heel height leads to a decrease in the walking velocity and an increase in the activity and fatigue level of the lower leg muscles, particularly during long-distance walking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze the gait characteristics and interaction between lower extremity joints according to shoe's heel heights in young women. Participants were selected as subject consisted of young and healthy women (age: $23.71{\pm}1.49yrs$, height: $165.92{\pm}2.00cm$, body weight: $54.37{\pm}3.46kg$) and walked with 3 types of shoe's high-heel (0, 5, 9 cm). The variables analyzed consisted of the displacement of Y axis in center of mass ([COM]; (position, velocity), front rear(FR) and left right(LR) angle of trunk, lower extremity joint angle (hip, knee, ankle) and asymmetric index (AI%). The displacement of Y axis in COM position showed the greater movement according to increase of shoe's heel heights, but velocity of COM showed the decrease according to increase of shoe's heel heights during gait. The hip and knee angle didn't show significant difference statistically according to increase of shoe's heel height, but left hip and knee showed more extended posture than those of right hip and knee angle. Also ankle angle didn't show significant difference statistically, but 9 cm heel showed more plantarflexion than those of 5 cm and 0 cm. The asymmetric index (AI%) showed more asymmetric 9 cm heel than those of 0 cm and 5 cm. The FR and LR angle in trunk tilting didn't show significant difference statistically according to the increase of shoe's heel height during gait in young women.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different heel height on the electromyographic (EMG) activity in Rectus abdominis (RA) and Erector spinae (ES) during gait activity. Methods : A repeated measures design was used. 33 healthy females carried out a standardized gait activity under 3 conditions; with heel wedges of 1, 7, and 12cm in height. EMG activity was recorded from RA and ES during the activity. Data was analysed using the repeated one-way ANOVA. Results : First, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in rectus abdominis(p<0.05). Second, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in erector spinae(p<0.05). Conclusion : We found that as heel height increased, there was an increase in EMG activity in both RA and ES. This indicated that no RA : ES imbalance was elicited. This study provides information that will inform future research on how heel height affects muscle activity around the trunk.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.112-124
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to research the effects of the differences in shoe heel height on balanced performances with a balance master. Method : 40 healthy female adults were divided into 2 groups at random. All the female participants were tested by a balance master system. Differences were analyzed according to high heel shoes and low heel shoes. The ability of static postural balance control was measured by modified CTSIB and unilateral stance test, while that of dynamic postural balance control was measured by LOS (limit of stability) and rhythmic weight shift, among the programs of a balance master. Result : 1. There is no significant correlation between the ability of static and dynamic postural balance control before main test without the shoes. 2. Movement velocity and directional control ability were significant correlation compared result of in high heel shoes and low heel shoes group. Conclusion : In conclusion, the test results of the high heeled shoe group and the low heeled shoe group through a balance master system showed that the former one is inferior to the latter one.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.125-135
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• 2006

This study was to analyze the effect of dancesport heel-shoes heights on Rumba Cucarachas Movement in terms of analysis, and to provide the essential information to decide the proper heel-shoes heights for individual. six female subjects participated in this study. Dependent variables were set and divided into the amount of movement regarding the velocity and angle of the right elbow, pelvis, ankle, and knee. The following conclusion was drawn blow. 1) Angle: We all appeared in 5, 7, 9cm heel height so that we were similar in a knee and elbow angle and no significantly. The plantar flexion appeared greatly as an ankle angle's shoe high and significantly. 2) Velocity: An elbow velocity all appeared in a three shoes so that it was similar. We speed fast speed some in a 7cm heel height. A knee velocity expressed fast speed some in a 5cm heel height. The pelvis velocity in a that it was similar. Generaly, The aspect to be a dancesport competition o'clock and aesthetic is the height. and the muscular strength train after we need the thing to choose suitable to the individual shoe height. It is logical that the decision of heel-shoes heights should be made by anthropometric and sport dynamic analysis in order to maximize the dynamic and aesthetic aspect of dance sport.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of height of the shoe heel in a one leg standing posture on the muscle activity of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, hamstring, and rectus femoris. Twenty healthy female subjects were asked to perform a one leg standing posture with three types of shoes, which had different heights of shoe heel, 0cm, 3cm, and 7cm. Surface electromyography was used to evaluate the activities of the right rectus abdominis, erector spinae, hamstring, and rectus femoris muscles. The data was analyzed by repeated one-way ANOVA and the muscle activities among three heights of shoe heel were compared. The results showed that the muscle activities of the erector spinae and rectus femoris increased significantly according to increase height of shoe heel (p<0.05). The activity of the rectus abdominis and hamstring were not significantly different among the three height of shoe heel (p>0.05). These results suggest that the height of shoe heel affects the lumbo-pelvic alignment and center of mass; therefore, high-heeled shoes lead to musculoskeletal pain in the lumbopelvic, hip, and knee areas.