Influence of prolonged wearing of unstable shoes on upright standing postural control

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Andreia S. P. Sousa (Author) FEUP; Rui Macedo (Author) Other; Rubim Santos (Author) Other; Filipa Sousa (Author) FADEUP; Andreia Silva (Author) FEUP; João Manuel R.S. Tavares (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Human Movement Science

Vol. 45

Pages: 142-153

ISSN: 0167-9457

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 9 Citations

INSPEC

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Health sciences

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-0XV

DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2015.11.015

Abstract (EN): Objective To study the influence of prolonged wearing of unstable shoes on standing postural control in prolonged standing workers. Methods The participants were divided into two groups: one wore unstable shoes while the other wore conventional shoes for 8 weeks. Stabilometry parameters related to centre of pressure (CoP), rambling (RM) and trembling (TR) as well as the total agonist/antagonist muscle activity, antagonist co-activation and reciprocal activation were evaluated during upright standing, before and after the 8 weeks period. In both moments, the subjects were evaluated wearing the unstable shoes and in barefoot. Results The unstable shoe condition presented increased CoP displacement related variables and decreased co-activation command compared to barefoot before and after the intervention. The prolonged wearing of unstable shoes led to: (1) reduction of medial¿lateral CoP root mean square and area; (2) decreased anteroposterior RM displacement; (3) increased anteroposterior RM mean velocity and mediolateral RM displacement; (4) decreased anteroposterior TR RMS; and (5) increased thigh antagonist co-activation in the unstable shoe condition. Conclusion The unstable shoe condition is associated to a higher destabilising effect that leads to a selection of more efficient and accurate postural commands compared to barefoot. Prolonged wearing of unstable shoes provides increased effectiveness and performance of the postural control system, while wearing of unstable shoes in upright standing, that are reflected by changes in CoP related variables and by a reorganisation of postural control commands.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12