Asymmetric shoe height induces reactive changes in gait kinematics but not kinetics in healthy young adults.

Background: Footwear interventions are a potential avenue to correct walking asymmetry in neurologic populations, such as stroke. However, the motor learning mechanisms that underlie the changes in walking imposed by asymmetric footwear are unclear.

Research Question: The objectives of this study were to examine symmetry changes during and after an asymmetric shoe height intervention in (1) vertical impulse and (2) spatiotemporal gait parameters and (3) joint kinematics, in healthy young adults METHODS: Eleven healthy young adults (3 males, 8 females; 21.