Effect of military boots compared to running shoes on plantar pressure distribution and lower limb muscle activity during jump landing: Plantar pressure and EMG on military boots

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of military boots compared to running shoes on plantar pressure distribution and lower limb muscle activity during jump landing

T2 - Plantar pressure and EMG on military boots

AU - Guo, Yilin

AU - Zhang, Yuying

AU - Yu, Zhiqi

AU - Fang, Kun

AU - Nasir, Sadiq

AU - Wang, Weijie

N1 - Copyright: © 2025 The Authors.

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - Background: Military training often involves high-impact activities such as jump landing in which subjects’ foot bears significant loading. Footwear choice, particularly military boots (MB), can affect plantar pressure distribution and muscle activity in the foot, thus related to soldiers' performance and injury risk. While previous studies have examined walking and running in MB, limited research explores plantar pressure and electromyography (EMG) activity in the lower limbs during jumping landing. Methods: Thirteen healthy adult participants performed jump landings from a 60-cm height platform while wearing MB and running shoes (RS). Their plantar pressure and EMG data were collected using the Pedar-X plantar pressure system and DELSYS EMG system. Plantar area was defined into nine zones, and the pressure parameters including maximum force, peak pressure, and pressure-time integral (PTI) were analyzed. The EMG were collected from the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, long head and short head of the biceps femoris, lateral head of the gastrocnemius and medial head of the gastrocnemius. Statistical comparisons were conducted to examine the effect of footwear type on these biomechanical variables. Results: MB showed significantly higher peak pressure in the heel region compared to RS (451.25 vs 311.60 kPa, p  < 0.001), indicating greater impact concentration. EMG analysis revealed that the biceps femoras had higher activation during landings in MB than in RS ( i.e. 61.6 % vs 37.0 % of maximum voluntary contraction, p < 0.014) while the vastus medial and medial gastrocnemius had higher EMG activities in RS than in MB. This suggests that the MB and RS structures have different muscular demands to maintain stability during jumping landing. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that MB concentrates the impact on the heel during jump landing and requires higher muscle activation in the biceps femoris. RS, in contrast, allows for better pressure distribution and shock absorption, potentially reducing injury risk. These insights are essential for optimizing footwear selection in military training to enhance performance and minimize injury. In terms of pressures, the foot performance when jumping landing in RS is better than when wearing MB.

AB - Background: Military training often involves high-impact activities such as jump landing in which subjects’ foot bears significant loading. Footwear choice, particularly military boots (MB), can affect plantar pressure distribution and muscle activity in the foot, thus related to soldiers' performance and injury risk. While previous studies have examined walking and running in MB, limited research explores plantar pressure and electromyography (EMG) activity in the lower limbs during jumping landing. Methods: Thirteen healthy adult participants performed jump landings from a 60-cm height platform while wearing MB and running shoes (RS). Their plantar pressure and EMG data were collected using the Pedar-X plantar pressure system and DELSYS EMG system. Plantar area was defined into nine zones, and the pressure parameters including maximum force, peak pressure, and pressure-time integral (PTI) were analyzed. The EMG were collected from the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, long head and short head of the biceps femoris, lateral head of the gastrocnemius and medial head of the gastrocnemius. Statistical comparisons were conducted to examine the effect of footwear type on these biomechanical variables. Results: MB showed significantly higher peak pressure in the heel region compared to RS (451.25 vs 311.60 kPa, p  < 0.001), indicating greater impact concentration. EMG analysis revealed that the biceps femoras had higher activation during landings in MB than in RS ( i.e. 61.6 % vs 37.0 % of maximum voluntary contraction, p < 0.014) while the vastus medial and medial gastrocnemius had higher EMG activities in RS than in MB. This suggests that the MB and RS structures have different muscular demands to maintain stability during jumping landing. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that MB concentrates the impact on the heel during jump landing and requires higher muscle activation in the biceps femoris. RS, in contrast, allows for better pressure distribution and shock absorption, potentially reducing injury risk. These insights are essential for optimizing footwear selection in military training to enhance performance and minimize injury. In terms of pressures, the foot performance when jumping landing in RS is better than when wearing MB.

KW - Electromyography

KW - Jump

KW - Military boots

KW - Plantar pressure

KW - Running shoes

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105020883565

U2 - 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.031

DO - 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.10.031

M3 - Article

SN - 1360-8592

VL - 45

SP - 982

EP - 990

JO - Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

JF - Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies

ER -