Effect of rocker sole on lower extremity joint motion during gait: using rocker sole with pivot point on the metatarsal head

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Rocker Sole (RS) with Pivot Point (PP) on the metatarsal head (MTH) on lower extremity joint angle during gait. [Methods] Ten healthy men underwent three-dimensional gait analysis while walking wearing RS and postoperative shoes (POS). The reliability of the measurements for the joint angles at heel-off (HO) and toe-off (TO), obtained wearing postoperative shoes, was examined. The influence of RS with PP on the MTH was investigated by comparing the results of the two conditions. [Results] No significant difference between the two conditions was evident in ankle dorsiflexion angle. In wearing RS, the knee flexion angle was significantly decreased, but the value of change did not exceed the minimal detectable change. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that RS has no effect on lower extremity joint angle during gait in healthy adults.