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Long-Term High-Heel (HH) Use

Long-Term High-Heel (HH) Use. Shortens gastrocnemius muscle fascicles Increases Achilles Tendon Stiffness What are the functional consequences of these changes during HH and barefoot walking? Muscle activity Muscle strain. Methods: Subjects. 2 groups HH group:

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Long-Term High-Heel (HH) Use

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  1. Long-Term High-Heel (HH) Use • Shortens gastrocnemius muscle fascicles • Increases Achilles Tendon Stiffness • What are the functional consequences of these changes during HH and barefoot walking? • Muscle activity • Muscle strain

  2. Methods: Subjects • 2 groups • HH group: • 9 young women who have worn heels for at least 40 hr/wk for last two years (2 inch heels) • Control group: • 10 women who habitually wore heels for less than 10 hr/week.

  3. Methods: Protocol • Walk over a level 8m walkway 10 times: • Barefoot/HH • Data Collection • EMG: • Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Tibialis Anterior Muscles • Ultrasound • gastrocnemius

  4. Results: Muscle Activity Percent Contact Time • Greater muscle activity in habitual high-heel walkers • Even when barefoot!

  5. Results: Muscle Fascicle Strain Percent Contact Time Percent Contact Time • Shorter fascicle lengths in habitual high-heel walkers • Greater fascicle strains in habitual high-heel walkers • Even when barefoot!

  6. Putting it all together • In habitual high-heel walkers: • Stiffer tendon • Shorter fascicle lengths • Greater muscle activity • Greater fascicle strains • Even when barefoot! Length change is being redistributed from the tendon to the muscle!  BAD Muscle-Tendon units operate the best when the length change is taken up by the tendon, with minimal length change in the muscle.

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