Mechanisms of Knee Flexion Angle Increment in the Early Stance Phase during High-heeled Gait

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of knee flexion angle increment during gait with high-heeled shoes in the initial stance phase. [Subjects] Fifteen healthy young women were enrolled in this study (mean age: 19.8 ± 0.7 years). [Methods] Subjects were instructed to walk on a 8-m walkway barefoot and wearing high-heeled shoes. [Results] The knee flexion angle was higher in the high-heeled gait than in the barefoot gait, and the thigh inclination angle was also higher in the high-heeled gait. There was no difference in the tibia inclination angle between the gait conditions. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that the increment of knee flexion angle during high-heeled gait contributes to the insufficiency of thigh inclination in the initial stance phase.