# Enhancing Muscle Activation Monitoring with Wearable Vibrating Sneakers: An EMG System-Based Approach for Continuous Health Assessment

## TL;DR

This study shows that vibrating sneakers can boost muscle activation during walking and squatting, especially when combined with regular exercise.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach using 18 Hz vibrating sneakers to enhance muscle engagement during physical activities in middle-aged individuals.

## Key findings

- Wearing vibrating sneakers significantly increased quadriceps and gastrocnemius activation during walking and squatting.
- The exercise group with WBV sneakers showed greater muscle activation improvements than the non-exercise group.
- WBV effects varied by muscle group and movement type, with no significant changes in some lower leg muscles.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Whole-body vibration (WBV) has been widely studied for its effects on neuromuscular activation, circulation, and balance. This study investigates the effect of wearing frequency of vibrating sneakers (18 Hz) on lower limb muscle activation during walking and squatting in middle-aged Koreans (40–60 years old). The objective is to assess whether WBV footwear enhances muscle engagement in both active and sedentary individuals. Methods: A 16-week randomized controlled trial was conducted with 64 participants divided into exercise (walking 30 min, three times a week) and non-exercise groups. Each group was further divided into wearing and non-wearing vibrating sneaker subgroups. Muscle activation of the quadriceps and gastrocnemius was measured using surface electromyography before and after the intervention. Results: Participants wearing vibrating sneakers showed significantly increased quadriceps and gastrocnemius activation during squatting and walking compared to non-wearers (p < 0.05). The exercise group wearing WBV sneakers exhibited greater improvements in muscle activation than the non-exercise group, indicating that WBV enhances the benefits of regular walking. However, no significant differences were observed in some lower leg muscles, suggesting that WBV effects may vary based on movement type and muscle group. Conclusions: Findings suggest that WBV sneakers (18 Hz) can enhance muscle activation during dynamic movements, potentially offering a low-impact training alternative for improving lower limb strength. These results provide valuable insights for exercise professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and wearable sensor developers, highlighting the potential of WBV footwear in neuromuscular conditioning and injury prevention.