The effect of heel lifts on trunk muscle activation during gait: A study of young healthy females

Abstract

Heel lifts are a treatment option for low back pain (LBP), whilst high-heeled shoes have been linked to LBP development. This study evaluated the effects of in-shoe 20 mm high bilateral heel lifts on trunk muscle activity. Activity of the erector spinae (ErSp), internal oblique and external oblique muscles was evaluated using surface electromyography in 15 young (20.7+/-0.9 years) healthy female participants. Measures were taken during overground gait, both immediately and following two days habituation to the heel lifts. Immediately following the addition of the heel lifts, levels of ErSp muscle activity in the 5% epoch following heel strike increased by 19.2% (p<0.05). Following habituatio..