The purpose of this study is twofold: first to confirm/invalidate Reebok's claim for women that wearing Reebok EasyT one shoes increases muscle recruitment on the posterior leg muscles, specifically the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius in comparison to regular fitness shoes or ambulating barefoot, second to analyze changes in gait patterns between barefoot, regular fitness shoes, and Reebok EasyTone shoes. Method: 15 participants (ages 21- 36) ambulated a short distance (approximately 40 feet) four times for each trial on the electronic walkway of the GAITRite: one trial barefoot, one trial with the participant's regular tennis shoes, and one trial with the Reebok EasyTone shoes. Results: Several gait characteristics were evaluated revealing the following results. There was no significant difference between the types of shoe wear for base support (f = 1.54, p > 0.05), toeing in and out (f= 0.175, p > 0.05) cadence (f= 2.97, p > 0.05), step time (f= 1.52, p > 0.05), or cycle time (f= 1.92, p > 0.05). There was significant difference between the types of shoe wear for step length (f = 3.14, p < 0.05). Results also show significant difference between the types of shoe wear for stride length (f= 3.43, p < 0.05). Differences occurred between Reebok EasyTone and barefoot and Reebok EasyTone and regular footwear, but not between barefoot and regular footwear. Discussion: No significant differences were noted for cadence, this could be due to the fact that participants were instructed to maintain normal walking speed throughout each trial. Analysis revealed differences in step length and stride length as a shorter stride with easy tone shoes. This may indicate that there is greater energy expenditure; however, further research is needed to establish if there is greater muscle recruitment during gait when compared to ambulating barefoot or with regular tennis shoes. Conclusion: Overall, results demonstrated that there was significant difference between the barefoot vs. Reebok EasyTone shoes and regular tennis shoes vs. Reebok EasyTone shoes; therefore this study indicates that selected gait parameters might change while wearing the Reebok EasyTone shoes. Future research should examine the directionality of these changes and cause and effect factors.
- Do Reebok EasyTone shoes promote changes in gait pattern compared with barefoot walking and regular walking
- Ashley Downing
- Kathy Swanick (Chair) - Florida Gulf Coast UniversityEllen Williamson (Committee Member)Arie J van Duijn (Committee Member) - Florida Gulf Coast University, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
- Florida Gulf Coast University; Doctor in Physical Therapy
- Doctor in Physical Therapy, Florida Gulf Coast University
- text
- 39 pgs.
- fgcu_ETD_0488; 99383341563806570
- Copyright held by author.
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; Marieb College of Health & Human Services
- English
- Thesis