Reproducibility of the spatio-temporal variables and the ground reaction forces walking with fire fighting boots

Abstract The aim of this study is to analyze the reproducibility of the spatio-temporal variables and the ground reaction forces (GRF) when walking with fire fighting boots in comparison to walking with low calf shoes. Spatio-temporal parameters and the variables related to the three components of the GRF of 39 people were recorded under two different walking conditions. A T-test to contrast the difference between the coefficients of variation (CV) in both conditions was used. The CV of the spatio-temporal variables (i.e velocity (V), condition I = 2.01%; condition II = 1.81%), of the vertical (i.e. contact force (FZA) of the left foot, condition I = 2.54%; condition II = 2.73%) and of the antero-posterior GRF (i.e. maximum force (FXMAX) of the left foot, condition I = 4.47%; condition II = 4.59%) was lower than 12.5%, suggesting that these variables could be used to analyze the influence of fire fighting boots on the gait. However, the low reproducibility showed by medium-lateral parameters does not allow to use them. Apart from the bipodal phase no differences were found between the two walking conditions. Key words: biomechanics, footwear, variability.