Effect of sports shoe weight on lower limb muscle activities in athletes with ACL reconstruction during walking

Different shoe weights affect walking mechanics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sport shoe weight on lower extremity muscle activities in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during walking. It was hypothesized that reduced shoe weight results in decreased frequency content of selected muscles during walking.

Twenty healthy males and athletes with ACL reconstruction volunteered and gave their written informed consent to participate in this study. Participants were male and physically active. Each participant performed three walking trials in each of the light (mass per shoe: 150 ± 18 g), medium (300 ± 18 g), and heavy (450 ± 18 g) conditions in a randomized order and electromyography were analyzed during shod walking.

EMG results showed that the increase in shoe weight was directly related to the increase in electrical activity of the muscles, but only in the swing phase was the electrical activity of the TA muscle decreased.

  Different shoe weights affect the electrical activity of the muscles and the walking speed. Therefore, lighter weight shoes are recommended for patients with ACL.

Practical Implications: 

The results of this study show that light shoes are useful for patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture and the use of lightweight shoes is recommended for people with anterior cruciate ligament rupture.