Comparison of Muscular Activity During Running with New and Used Military Boots and Running Footwears in Healthy Individuals: A Clinical Trial Study

Background: The type of footwear worn by military personnel and others could increase the risk of overuse injuries. Objectives: This study aimed to compare muscular activity during running with new and used military boots and running footwear in healthy individuals. Methods: Thirty healthy males were given a new pair of running footwear (n = 15) and thermoplastic polyurethane military boots (n = 15). Participants in each group were asked to wear these shoes for 6 months. Electromyographic activity of the dominant limb muscles was recorded during running at a speed of 3.3 m/s before and after 6 months. Results: The results indicated significant differences in muscle activity based on the type of footwear worn during various phases of running. Specifically, muscles such as the tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus showed varied activity during phases such as loading, mid-stance, and push-off. Additionally, there were significant effects of time on certain muscles, including the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis during the push-off phase. Interactions between footwear type and time were observed for the semitendinosus and gluteus medius during the loading phase, and the gastrocnemius medialis during the push-off phase. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a decrease in muscle activity for most lower limb muscles in the military boots group compared to the running footwear group during the stance phase of running. The magnitude of gastrocnemius medialis activity increased in the military boots group (but not in the running footwear group) from pre-test to post-test during the push-off phase.