The impact of custom-made rocker sole shoes on biomechanical parameters of the lower limb during gait and running: A systematic review.

AIM: The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of rocker sole shoes on temporal-spatial parameters, kinematics, kinetics, plantar pressure, and electromyography (EMG) activity during walking.

METHOD: A systematic search was conducted in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. The search keywords included rocker sole, rocker bottom shoe, gait parameters, kinematics, kinetics, pressure, and EMG. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using a modified Downs and Black scale.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies with low to moderate risk of bias were included. The included studies primarily assessed walking, and the evidence focused on temporal-spatial parameters and kinematics, with fewer studies analyzing kinetics and electromyography. The use of rocker sole shoes was associated with a significantly shorter stance phase duration and a greater cadence compared to conventional footwear. A primary finding was a reduction in ankle joint range of motion, while knee and hip joint kinematics remained largely unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Custom-made rocker sole shoes induce specific biomechanical adaptations during gait, notably a reduced ankle range of motion and an increased cadence. These changes result in decreased ankle power generation during the late stance phase (push-off) and a shorter stride length.