Footwear Affects the Behavior of Low Back Muscles When Jogging

M. Ogon; A. R. Aleksiev; K. F. Spratt; M. H. Pope; C. L. Saltzman

doi:10.1055/s-2001-16240

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Table of Contents

Int J Sports Med 2001; 22(6): 414-419
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-16240

Orthopedics and Clinical Science

Footwear Affects the Behavior of Low Back Muscles When Jogging

M. Ogon^{1, 2} , A. R. Aleksiev² , K. F. Spratt^{2, 6} , M. H. Pope^{2, 5} , C. L. Saltzman^{3, 4}

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Innsbruck, Austria
²Iowa Spine Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
³Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
⁴Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
⁵Department of Biomedical Physics and Bioengineering, University of Aberdeen, Scottland, UK
⁶Iowa Testing Programs, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

Abstract

Use of modified shoes and insole materials has been widely advocated to treat low back symptoms from running impacts, although considerable uncertainty remains regarding the effects of these devices on the rate of shock transmission to the spine. This study investigated the effects of shoes and insole materials on a) the rate of shock transmission to the spine, b) the temporal response of spinal musculature to impact loading, and c) the time interval between peak lumbar acceleration and peak lumbar muscle response. It was hypothesised that shoes and inserts a) decrease the rate of shock transmission, b) decrease the low back muscle response time, and c) shorten the time interval between peak lumbar acceleration and peak lumbar muscle response. Twelve healthy subjects were tested while jogging barefoot (unshod) or wearing identical athletic shoes (shod). Either no material, semi-rigid (34 Shore A), or soft (9.5 Shore A) insole material covered the force plate in the barefoot conditions and was placed as insole when running shod. Ground reaction forces, acceleration at the third lumbar level, and erector spinae myoelectric activity were recorded simultaneously. The rate of shock transmission to the spine was greater (p < 0.0003) unshod (acceleration rate: Means ± SD 127.35 ± 87.23 g/s) than shod (49.84 ± 33.98 g/s). The temporal response of spinal musculature following heel strike was significantly shorter (p < 0.023) unshod (0.038 ± 0.021 s) than shod (0.047 ± 0.036 s). The latency between acceleration peak (maximal external force) and muscle response peak (maximal internal force) was significantly (p < 0.021) longer unshod (0.0137 ± 0.022 s) than shod (0.004 ± 0.040 s). These results suggest that one of the benefits of running shoes and insoles is improved temporal synchronization between potentially destabilizing external forces and stabilizing internal forces around the lumbar spine.

Key words:

Running injuries, shoes, low backpain, insoles.

Full Text

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Associate Professor Michael Ogon, M. D.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
University of Innsbruck

Anichstrasse 35
A-6020 Innsbruck
Austria/Europe

Phone: +43 (512) 504-2697

Fax: +43 (521) 504-2701

Email: Michael.Ogon@uibk.ac.at