Tomohiro Demura

Gait characteristics when walking with rounded soft sole shoes

This study aimed to examine the effect of shoes with a rounded soft sole (Stretch Walker: SW) on gait. Fifteen healthy male (mean age: 23.2) walked under three conditions (SW, Flat-bottomed Shoe: FS, Barefoot: BF). Including walking speed, stance time, step length were selected as temporal-spatial parameters. The angle of hip, knee, and ankle joints during particular phases were selected as kinematic parameters. Walking speed, stance time, step length and flexion angle of the ankle joint at initial contact were greater when wearing either shoe than walking BF; cadence was faster walking BF than wearing either shoe; double support time increased (FS>SW>BF); step width was greater (FS>SW>BF); walking angle was greater wearing the SW than wearing the FS and walking BF; and range of motion and maximum flexion angle of the hip and knee joints were greater wearing the FS than walking BF. In conclusion, wearing the SW with a heel-to-toe rocker and soft sole changes the double support time, step width, and walking angle and increases step length and walking speed compared to walking BF. The difference of the range of motion in hip and knee joints was larger between walking BF and wearing the FS than between walking BF and wearing the SW.

The effects of shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior-posterior direction on leg joint angle and muscle activity

This study examines the effect of these shoes on the leg joint angle and muscle activity during walking. Ten healthy young male adults (mean age: 24.1±4.3 years) walked on a walkway while wearing one of three kinds of shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior-posterior direction (Stretch Walker: SW, mass: 440 g), MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology; similar to the SW in form and material, mass: 600 g), and flat-bottomed shoes (FS, mass: 420 g)). After familiarizing themselves with the shoes, subjects walked twenty laps on the walkway, which was about 40 m long (mean speed: 4.1 km/h). After a sufficient rest, they repeated this with the other shoes. During walking, the volume of muscle discharge was measured once every 2 laps. The mean value of the 10 measurements was used as the evaluation variable for integral values and joint angle, while the right foot touched the ground twice. In conclusion, the range of leg movement during walking was smaller when wearing shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior-posterior direction (SW and MBT) than when wearing normal shoes (FS). However, the effects of the SW and MBT on leg muscle activity during walking differ little from wearing the normal shoes during a leisurely 10-min walk.

Examining Differences between Center of Pressure Sway in One-Legged and Two-Legged Stances for Soccer Players and Typical Adults

To examine stance during the measurement of balance ability, this study aimed to clarify the differences and relationships between balance ability in one-legged (dominant or nondominant leg) and two-legged stances in 25 typical male adults and 25 male soccer players. Balance ability was evaluated with four sway factors: sway velocity, anterior-posterior sway, lateral sway, and high-frequency sway factors. The one-legged stance was more unstable than the two-legged stance, the balance abilities related to two-legged and one-legged stances differed, and the balance abilities related to dominant-legged and nondominant-legged stances were similar. The one-legged stance, which was difficult to maintain stably, may be useful in the measurement of static balance ability in young people.

Comparison of the Body-Sway Characteristics of Young Adults Compared to Healthy Elderly and Elderly with Equilibrium Disorder

The study compared body-sway characteristics of 380 young adults, 342 generally healthy elderly without disequilibrium disorders, and a group of 33 elderly with disequilibrium disorders. Center of foot pressure (COP) was measured for 1 min. using an Animas stabilometer G5500 with a data sampling frequency of 20 Hz. Four high reliability measures were used to evaluate body sway (unit time sway, front-back sway, and a left-right sway, and high frequency band power). Unit time sway, left-right sway, and high frequency band power were significantly larger for the group of elderly with disequilibrium disorders, and smaller for the healthy elderly people and young adults, in that order. Front-back sway was significantly larger in the elderly with disequilibrium disorders and healthy elderly than in young adults. The elderly with disequilibrium disorders had a larger and faster sway than young adults as well as the healthy elderly, particularly in the left-right direction. It appears aging was specifically associated with larger influence on the front-back sway.

Examination of factors affecting gait properties in healthy older adults: Focusing on knee extension strength, visual acuity, and knee joint pain

Background and Purpose:Gait properties change with age because of a decrease in lower limb strength and visual acuity or knee joint disorders. Gait changes commonly result from these combined factors. This study aimed to examine the effects of knee extension strength, visual acuity, and knee joint pain on gait properties of for 181 healthy female older adults (age: 76.1 (5.7) years). Methods:Walking speed, cadence, stance time, swing time, double support time, step length, step width, walking angle, and toe angle were selected as gait parameters. Knee extension strength was measured by isometric dynamometry; and decreased visual acuity and knee joint pain were evaluated by subjective judgment whether or not such factors created a hindrance during walking. Results:Among older adults without vision problems and knee joint pain that affected walking, those with superior knee extension strength had significantly greater walking speed and step length than those with inferior knee extension strength (P < .05). Persons with visual acuity problems had higher cadence and shorter stance time. In addition, persons with pain in both knees showed slower walking speed and longer stance time and double support time. Conclusion:A decrease of knee extension strength and visual acuity and knee joint pain are factors affecting gait in the female older adults. Decreased knee extension strength and knee joint pain mainly affect respective distance and time parameters of the gait.

Influence of Restricted Vision and Knee Joint Range of Motion on Gait Properties During Level Walking and Stair Ascent and Descent

ABSTRACT Because elderly individuals experience marked declines in various physical functions (e.g., vision, joint function) simultaneously, it is difficult to clarify the individual effects of these functional declines on walking. However, by imposing vision and joint function restrictions on young men, the effects of these functional declines on walking can be clarified. The authors aimed to determine the effect of restricted vision and range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint on gait properties while walking and ascending or descending stairs. Fifteen healthy young adults performed level walking and stair ascent and descent during control, vision restriction, and knee joint ROM restriction conditions. During level walking, walking speed and step width decreased, and double support time increased significantly with vision and knee joint ROM restrictions. Stance time, step width, and walking angle increased only with knee joint ROM restriction. Stance time, swing time, and double support time were significantly longer in level walking, stair descent, and stair ascent, in that order. The effects of vision and knee joint ROM restrictions were significantly larger than the control conditions. In conclusion, vision and knee joint ROM restrictions affect gait during level walking and stair ascent and descent. This effect is marked in stair ascent with knee joint ROM restriction.

Cross-Sectional Study Shows Kindergarten Barefoot Policy Positively Affects Soles’ Contact Area

Although some studies have examined the effect of allowing preschool children to go without shoes, some points remain unexamined. Therefore, this study examined the effect of kindergartens’ barefoot policy on the contact area of the soles of the feet (plantar arch, hallux valgus angle, and foot angle). Participants were 313 preschool children (169 boys; 144 girls) at a kindergarten following the barefoot policy and 339 (176 boys; 163 girls) at a kindergarten not following the policy. The children stood barefoot on a pedoscope, so images of their soles’ contact area could be taken and then analyzed by software specifically for that purpose. Both boys and girls who attended kindergartens with barefoot policy had better development of the plantar arch and less angle of the hallux valgus than children who attended kindergartens not following the barefoot policy. Only boys who attended kindergartens that followed barefoot policy had a larger foot angle than children who attended kindergartens that did not. For preschool children, barefoot policy positively affected their soles’ contact area.

Physiological responses during treadmill walking at a constant speed while wearing shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior–posterior direction – oxygen intake, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion

Shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior–posterior direction are used to reinforce muscle groups related to the ankle joints in addition to being used as therapeutic footwear for the reduction of shear. This study aimed to examine physiological responses during treadmill walking at a constant speed while wearing these specially designed shoes. Ten healthy young male adults (mean age: 23.2 ± 3.8 years) walked on a treadmill with three kinds of shoes – shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior–posterior direction (‘Stretch Walker’, mass: 440 g), ‘Masai Barefoot Technology’ (similar to Stretch Walker in form and material, but heavier, mass: 600 g), and flat-bottomed shoes (mass: 420 g). The wearing order of the shoes was performed at random for each subject. After 4 min of rest, subjects walked on a treadmill for 6 min at 50% of maximum walking speed. The subjects walked with each pair of shoes three times after taking a sufficient rest between trials and confirming heart rate stability. The heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and oxygen intake (VO2) by the breath-by-breath method, were measured at 1-min intervals. The results of one-way analysis of variance showed that the VO2 was significantly larger in flat-bottomed shoes than in Stretch Walker (p < 0.05), but HR and RPE showed non-significant differences among the three kinds of shoes.In conclusion, it was suggested that wearing the shoes with a rounded soft sole in the anterior–posterior direction (Stretch Walker) permits the user to walk with less oxygen intake than wearing the normal shoes with a similar weight if the speed and distance are equal.