21st Annual Student Research Conference
Changes in Gait Kinematics an EMG Activity between Barefoot and Wearing Flip Flops
Jennifer L. Sternecker*, Nichole E. Friederich, and Josh H. Miley
Dr. Michael Bird, Faculty Mentor
The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in gait kinematics and EMG muscle activation in the leg during the swing phase walking barefoot and with flip flops. Thirteen Exercise Science students (11 female and 2 males) walked on a treadmill at 2.4 mph with no inclination. EMG data was collected with Coulbourn Instruments hardware (1000 Hz) using disposable Ag/Ag-Cl electrodes on the right soleus, tibialis anterior and fibularis longus. A Panasonic PG GS55 digital video recorder at 60 Hz with a 1/250 second high speed shutter was used for video collection. Peak Motus was used for data reduction. Toe extension velocities were significantly greater when wearing flip flops whereas EMG activity of all three muscles, time of support, and range of motion were not significantly different between conditions. The difference in toe extension velocity may be associated with the subject keeping the flip flop from slipping.
Keywords: gait kinematics, EMG activity, barefoot, flip flops, toe extension, soleus, tibialis anterior, fibularis longus
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 7-7
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15