External Work is Increased Using Rocker Bottom Shoes
Conference: ASB 2011
Abstract: External work is the work performed by external forces (i.e. ground reaction) to move the body's center of mass (COM) through space. External work is decreased when walking with an arc radius attached to the bottom of a walking boot. Commercial rocker bottom shoes incorporate a "rocker" effect into the shoe’s last. Thus, our purpose was to determine if commercial rocker bottom shoes are able to decrease the external work associated with walking like an arc radius. Seven healthy young subjects walked across a 10 meter walkway while kinetics (600Hz) and kinematics were acquired (60Hz). Subjects initially walked with a standard sole athletic shoe. Subjects then wore rocker bottom shoes (Masai Barefoot Technology, Roggwil, Switzerland) for a week to allow for acclimation followed by another data collection. External work was examined during initial double support, single support, terminal double support, and total stance. Results showed the rockerbottom shoes resulted in a significant increase in external work, specifically negative work in initial double support and positive work in single support. In conclusion, rockerbottom shoes may be good for exercise due to increased energy expenditure, however, individuals utilizing such shoes for therapeutic, rehabilitation purposes should weigh any potential therapeutic benefits against additional mechanical work requirements for ambulation.
Listed In: Biomechanics, Gait,
Tagged In: External Work, MBT, rockerbottom shoe
This poster was submitted for a scholarship
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Abstract: External work is the work performed by external forces (i.e. ground reaction) to move the body's center of mass (COM) through space. External work is decreased when walking with an arc radius attached to the bottom of a walking boot. Commercial rocker bottom shoes incorporate a "rocker" effect into the shoe’s last. Thus, our purpose was to determine if commercial rocker bottom shoes are able to decrease the external work associated with walking like an arc radius. Seven healthy young subjects walked across a 10 meter walkway while kinetics (600Hz) and kinematics were acquired (60Hz). Subjects initially walked with a standard sole athletic shoe. Subjects then wore rocker bottom shoes (Masai Barefoot Technology, Roggwil, Switzerland) for a week to allow for acclimation followed by another data collection. External work was examined during initial double support, single support, terminal double support, and total stance. Results showed the rockerbottom shoes resulted in a significant increase in external work, specifically negative work in initial double support and positive work in single support. In conclusion, rockerbottom shoes may be good for exercise due to increased energy expenditure, however, individuals utilizing such shoes for therapeutic, rehabilitation purposes should weigh any potential therapeutic benefits against additional mechanical work requirements for ambulation.
Listed In: Biomechanics, Gait,
Tagged In: External Work, MBT, rockerbottom shoe
This poster was submitted for a scholarship
View PDF | View Poster Text | Contact Author