How does walking with high heels affect pelvic motion in the coronal plane?

Effects of High Heels on Pelvic Motion in the Coronal Plane During Walking

Walking in high heels significantly increases pelvic motion in the coronal plane, with greater hip adduction and altered gluteus medius activity to maintain pelvic stability. 1

Biomechanical Changes in the Coronal Plane

• High heels cause increased hip adduction and internal rotation in the coronal plane during walking, altering normal pelvic biomechanics 1
• As heel height increases, there is a corresponding increase in pelvic rotation range of motion during gait 2
• Women wearing high heels demonstrate greater non-sagittal hip and pelvis motion compared to flat shoes or barefoot walking 1
• These alterations in biomechanics require increased gluteus medius muscle activity to maintain pelvic stability in the coronal plane 1

Compensatory Mechanisms

• The body employs compensatory mechanisms to maintain balance when walking in high heels, including:
  • Increased activation of hip stabilizing muscles, particularly the gluteus medius 1
  • Modified pelvic kinematics in multiple planes to accommodate the altered foot position 2
  • Decreased lumbar lordosis, contrary to the common belief that high heels increase lordosis 3

Factors Affecting Pelvic Motion in High Heels

• Heel height directly impacts the degree of pelvic motion, with higher heels causing greater alterations 2
• Heel type influences pelvic movement, with thinner heels displaying larger pelvic forward tilt movement compared to wider heels 2
• Experience in wearing high heels does not significantly alter the kinematic differences in pelvic motion during walking 3

Age-Related Differences

• Younger women exhibit an increase in pelvic range of motion in the sagittal plane during high-heeled gait compared to low-heeled or barefoot walking 4
• Middle-aged women show less compensatory pelvic motion when wearing high heels, suggesting reduced adaptability of the musculoskeletal system with age 4
• The reduced pelvic range of motion in middle-aged women may indicate greater tissue rigidity in the lumbopelvic region 4

Clinical Implications

• Increased muscle activity in the hip and lower back when wearing high heels may contribute to muscle fatigue and overuse 4
• The altered pelvic motion in the coronal plane may affect hip joint mechanics, potentially contributing to hip-related pain 5
• The combination of increased muscle activity and altered biomechanics may explain the association between high heel use and low back pain 4

Gait Pattern Alterations

• High heels cause a higher stride frequency and shorter stride length compared to barefoot walking 1
• Significant increases in vertical and anteroposterior forces during walking occur with increased heel height 6
• Foot abduction angle during support shows significantly less abduction with higher heels 6