THE EFFECT OF SHOE TYPE ON VARIOUS KINETIC AND KINEMATIC VARIABLES DURING STEP-UP AND STEP-DOWN MOTIONS

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of shoe type on the biomechanical responses to a stepping task. Participants (n = 8) performed six two minute stepping trials at a stepping rate of 72 bpm; 3 trials in hiking boots and 3 trials in hiking shoes. Lower limb joint angles and moments were calculated using Visual 3D. No significant differences were found in step down peak ground reaction forces (GRF), ankle, knee, and hip range of motion (ROM), joint moments, joint flexion at step down contact, or toe clearance height between footwear conditions. Due to the lack of differences found between footwear conditions, the use of either a hiking shoe or boot may not result in an increased risk of injury, therefore leaving the choice of footwear to the hiker’s personal preference