Lumbar curve, trunk muscles, and line of gravity with different heel heights

The influence of different heel heights on the lumbar curve, pelvic inclination, trunk muscle activity, and the position of the line of gravity was examined in 18 healthy women. They were examined while standing on heel-supports, being 4.5 cm elevated, at the level of and 2.5 cm lower than the support of the forefoot, respectively (Figure 1). Each examination was preceeded by one-hour adaptation to a corresponding shoe type. With increasing heel height, the lumbar lordosis and the pelvis inclination were decreased. The back and abdominal muscles did not alter their activities. The position of the line of gravity kept the distance from the forefoot almost constant, but the ankle joint was shifted towards the line of gravity with increasing heel height.