PURPOSE This study aimed to characterize the kinematic variables of stair climbing in adult women by analyzing the effects of varying heel heights on their climbing behavior. METHODS A total of 24 adult women (age: 22.08±1.28years; height: 160.43±4.30cm; weight: 54.10±6.39kg) participated in this study. All subjects wore the same type of high heels with heights of 1cm, 5cm, and 7cm while performing stair climbing on stairs measuring 18cm in height. Ten infrared cameras (200Hz) and ground reaction force sensors (1000Hz) were set up on the stairs, along with an 8-channel electromyography system (1000Hz) to analyze the maximum moments at each joint and the muscle activation during stair climbing. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0 (IBM., USA). All variables underwent the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, with repeated measure analysis of variance or the Friedman test applied based on the results. Post hoc tests were conducted using the LSD test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Our study found four key findings. First, a significant decrease in maximum dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and adduction moments of the ankle joint was observed with increasing heel height. Second, the maximum extension, adduction, and external rotation moments of the knee joint significantly decreased as heel height increased, while the maximum abduction and internal rotation moments significantly increased. Third, the maximum flexion, extension, and abduction moments of the hip joint significantly increased with higher heel heights. Fourth, muscle activity of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius decreased with increasing heel height compared to walking; however, muscle activity in the tensor fasciae latae increased. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that as heel height increases, the risk of injury may rise due to limited ankle use and increased moments in the knee and hip joints, potentially leading to muscle strength imbalances in adult women, particularly through the overuse of specific muscles.
