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1- Department of Sports Biomechanics, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract: (39 Views)
Background: Carbon-plated shoes (CPS) incorporate structural features intended to modify footwear mechanics and have been associated with differences in lower-extremity biomechanics. However, their neuromuscular characteristics during walking remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in runners with pronated feet, who may present different lower-extremity mechanical and neuromuscular patterns.
Objective: To compare the electromyographic mean frequency (MNF) of selected lower-limb muscles during walking between runners with pronated feet evaluated in carbon-plated and conventional running shoes.
Methods: Thirty recreational runners with pronated feet participated in this pilot cross-sectional study and were evaluated in two independent footwear groups: carbon-plated shoes (n=15) and conventional running shoes (n=15). Surface electromyography (EMG; 1000 Hz) was recorded from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis. EMG signals were band-pass filtered at 10–500 Hz and notch filtered at 60 Hz. MNF was calculated from the power spectrum during the loading response and push-off phases. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and homogeneity of variance was evaluated using Levene's test. Student's independent-samples t-test was used when the equal-variance assumption was satisfied; otherwise, Welch's t-test was used.
Results: No statistically significant between-group differences were detected in the reported demographic and anthropometric variables. In the principal comparison, semitendinosus MNF during loading response was higher in the CPS group than in the conventional-shoe group (p=.001, Cohen's d=1.457). Exploratory unadjusted analyses also showed higher biceps femoris MNF in the CPS group during loading response (p=.020, d=0.932) and push-off (p=.017, d=0.924). These secondary findings should be interpreted cautiously because no multiplicity correction was applied. No statistically significant between-group differences were detected for the other examined muscles.
Conclusion: Higher EMG mean frequency was observed for selected hamstring muscles in the carbon-plated shoe group during specific gait phases. These findings indicate muscle-specific differences in EMG spectral characteristics between the footwear groups rather than a generalized difference across the lower limb. Given the cross-sectional design, post hoc outcome hierarchy, absence of multiplicity correction, and differences in the overall structural characteristics of the footwear systems, the findings should be considered preliminary and require confirmation in prospectively designed studies using mechanically characterized or matched footwear conditions.
Objective: To compare the electromyographic mean frequency (MNF) of selected lower-limb muscles during walking between runners with pronated feet evaluated in carbon-plated and conventional running shoes.
Methods: Thirty recreational runners with pronated feet participated in this pilot cross-sectional study and were evaluated in two independent footwear groups: carbon-plated shoes (n=15) and conventional running shoes (n=15). Surface electromyography (EMG; 1000 Hz) was recorded from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis. EMG signals were band-pass filtered at 10–500 Hz and notch filtered at 60 Hz. MNF was calculated from the power spectrum during the loading response and push-off phases. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and homogeneity of variance was evaluated using Levene's test. Student's independent-samples t-test was used when the equal-variance assumption was satisfied; otherwise, Welch's t-test was used.
Results: No statistically significant between-group differences were detected in the reported demographic and anthropometric variables. In the principal comparison, semitendinosus MNF during loading response was higher in the CPS group than in the conventional-shoe group (p=.001, Cohen's d=1.457). Exploratory unadjusted analyses also showed higher biceps femoris MNF in the CPS group during loading response (p=.020, d=0.932) and push-off (p=.017, d=0.924). These secondary findings should be interpreted cautiously because no multiplicity correction was applied. No statistically significant between-group differences were detected for the other examined muscles.
Conclusion: Higher EMG mean frequency was observed for selected hamstring muscles in the carbon-plated shoe group during specific gait phases. These findings indicate muscle-specific differences in EMG spectral characteristics between the footwear groups rather than a generalized difference across the lower limb. Given the cross-sectional design, post hoc outcome hierarchy, absence of multiplicity correction, and differences in the overall structural characteristics of the footwear systems, the findings should be considered preliminary and require confirmation in prospectively designed studies using mechanically characterized or matched footwear conditions.
Keywords: Carbon-fiber plate footwear, Electromyography, Flat foot, Gait analysis, Hamstrings, Neuromuscular control
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