Heel-lift insole effects on lower limb and lower back motion
Effect of Heel Lift Insole on Kinematics and Kinetics of the Lower Limb and Lumbar Spine Among Healthy Individuals
This study will test whether wearing a heel lift insole changes muscle activity and movement angles of the lower limbs and lower back in healthy young adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 25 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Cairo University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Giza, Giza Governorate and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07047300 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational project will recruit healthy physiotherapy students at Misr University to compare muscle activity and joint angles with and without a standardized heel lift insole. Participants who meet predefined height, BMI, foot-length, and functional criteria will complete a demographic form and undergo EMG recording from bilateral erector spinae, rectus femoris, and medial/lateral gastrocnemius during standardized standing trials in flat shoes and with a heel lift. Photographs from anterior and lateral views will be analyzed with Kinovea to measure Q-angle (knee valgus) and lumbosacral angle, with three trials per condition and mean values used for analysis. Individuals with out-of-range BMI, prior lower-limb injury or surgery, neuromuscular or sensory disorders, pregnancy, or prior heel-lift use will be excluded to reduce confounding.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are healthy, non-athletic adults aged 18–25 with BMI 18.5–24.99, height 160–180 cm, foot length 23.3–28.0 cm, normal pain-free range of motion, stable balance, and no prior heel-lift use.
Not a fit: People with current or prior lower-limb musculoskeletal or neurological disorders, prior lower-limb surgery, sensory problems, pregnancy, or out-of-range BMI are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from these results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help guide footwear recommendations by showing whether heel lifts change muscle loading or spinal posture in healthy people.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have measured heel lifts' effects on gait, muscle activity, and spinal angles with mixed results, so this work builds on but does not radically depart from existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult non-athletic individuals with age range between (18: 25) years old (Joshi et al., 2024). * Height between (160 - 180 cm). * Body mass index between (18.5:24.99) Kg/ m² (Joshi et al., 2024). * Foot length between (23,3 - 28.0 cm). * Never used heel lift insole. * Participants must have a normal and pain-free range of motion in the lower limbs and spine (Hapsari et al., 2016). * Participants must demonstrate stable balance and coordination in weight-bearing activities (Hapsari et al., 2016). Exclusion Criteria: * Traumatic conditions of the lower limb (Joshi et al., 2024). * Pelvis and lower limb musculoskeletal disorders (Joshi et al., 2024). * Previous orthopedic disorders or neurological deficit of the lower limb (Joshi et al., 2024). * Previous surgery of the lower limbs (Lindenberg et al., 2019). * Any sensory problems. * Neuromuscular diseases such as multiple sclerosis, intervertebral disc disorders…etc (Joshi et al., 2024). * Pregnancy. * Cancer Patients. * Immunodeficiency diseases. * Psychological disorders (depression - anxiety). * Chronic diseases as (diabetes - hypertension). * Participants with lower limbs deformity (Joshi et al., 2024). * Participants with specific lower limb muscles weakness. * Low back pain in the past 30 days (Colonna et al., 2024).
Where this trial is running
Giza, Giza Governorate and 1 other locations
- Misr University for science and technology — Giza, Giza Governorate, Egypt (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Misr University for science and technology, Physical Therapy College, EMG and NCV Lab — Giza, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Abdelrahman Salah Sawan, Bachelor's degree
- Email: abdelrahman.sawan@must.edu.eg
- Phone: +201144047770
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.