When History Meets Biomechanics: The Slope-Walking Performance of Ancient Xiegong Clogs

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When History Meets Biomechanics: The Slope-Walking Performance of Ancient Xiegong Clogs - Presented by Dr. Dan Hu: Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Course Director at Coventry University

About the Presentation:

This study investigated the biomechanical and physiological effects of ancient Xiegong clogs-traditional Chinese footwear with removable pegs-during slope walking. While historical records suggest these clogs improved mobility on mountainous terrain, their functional mechanisms have not been scientifically examined. Prior to experimental testing, a musculoskeletal simulation was conducted to predict the effects of clog geometry on lower-limb muscle activation, indicating reduced activation levels when walking with Xiegong clog configurations. To validate these predictions, eight healthy adults participated in treadmill walking trials across a range of uphill and downhill gradients, wearing reconstructed one-peg and two-peg clog designs. Metabolic cost was assessed via oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production, while lower-limb muscle activity was recorded using surface electromyography (EMG). Results showed that one-peg clogs significantly reduced metabolic cost compared to two-peg clogs during steep uphill (20%) and downhill (-25%) walking. Consistent with simulation predictions, EMG data revealed decreased activation in key lower-limb muscles, including ankle muscles during uphill walking and knee extensors during downhill walking, indicating improved neuromuscular efficiency. These findings support historical claims regarding the functional advantages of Xiegong clogs and demonstrate that simple modifications to foot-ground interaction can enhance locomotor efficiency on slopes. The study highlights the value of combining simulation and experimental approaches, as well as the potential of ancient footwear designs to inform modern biomechanical applications, though further research is needed to explore long-term effects and broader populations.