The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."~Leonardo da Vinci
Can technology create a better foot?
No! The human foot consists of 26 bones and 33 joints. The foot contains 31 muscles, 20 in the foot itself and 11 muscles that cross over the ankle from above. The foot is considered to have three subdivisions: the forefoot (front part of foot, including toes), midfoot, and hindfoot (rear part of foot, including heel). The foot has three arches. The medial longitudinal arch (of the inside border of the foot) is the highest and most important of the three arches. The lateral longitudinal arch (of the outside border of the foot) is lower and flatter than the medial arch. The transverse arch is at right angles to the longitudinal arches. The arches of the foot are maintained not only by the shapes of the bones themselves, but also by the ligaments that tie the bones together. In addition, muscles and tendons play an important role in supporting the arches.
What is up with all the weird shoes?
Companies are trying to capitalize on this multimillion dollar enterprise. Everyone wants to run faster, jump higher or lose weight just by wearing a pair of shoes. The reality is that some of these creations are just fine, but others have potential hazards. What I find funny is that they are all trying to capitalize on bare foot technology. Vibrams, bare foot runners make a minimalist shoe trying to keep the foot as close to naked as possible. All the Rocker shoes (shape ups, et al) are based on the original MTB shoe (Massi Barefoot Technology).
The human foot is completely unique from any other animal in the world because we have the biomechanics of efficiently upright walking. The foot has two important functions: weight bearing and propulsion. Both of these functions require a high degree of stability. We must be able to support the load of the body above. In addition, the foot must be pliable, each step we take our foot must be able to absorb the shock of hitting the ground and be able to adapt to standing and walking on uneven surfaces. Furthermore the foot needs the ability to stiffen; this allows the foot to become a leaver, allowing the toe to push off and propel the body forward. The multiple bones and joints and arches of the foot give it pliability, stability and stiffness needed to perform optimally.
As the foot hits the ground and the ground hits the foot with an opposite and equal force, a lot of energy is absorbed. A good foot will allow all 33 joints to help decelerate this energy, so it can be used to help propel the body forward. Not only that—a good foot will allow the joints above the foot to also help decelerate and absorb impact, and then use this energy for propulsion or un-loading.
When we walk with shoes, the first thing that usually hits the ground is the heel. If the shoe alters these mechanics it can lead to problems in the hips, knees and back. The issue with rocker shoes is that they cause the heel strike to be very far back on the heel, leading to excessive extension of the knee. Additionally, as the foot rolls through the “roller sole”, joints, muscles and ligaments of the foot do not need to work. In essence, we are turning the foot off. The forces that are usually dissipated by the foot will now travel further up the chain and a joint higher up (knee, hip, and back) will take a bigger hit.
The bare foot shoes are designed to mimic how the foot was originally designed to work. The problems with these shoes are that over time many individuals feet have been in a variety of wrong shoes and have sustained either minor or major injury. This generally creates a foot which is less then optimal. Some of these conditions make it important for these individual’s feet to have a more cushioning or supportive structure. When many foot issues exist, the barefoot shoes may not the best shoe for that individual to wear. Other than that, these shoes are great for a good portion of the population.
Ideally, these shoes can be worn by younger individuals and those without a history of foot problems. Caution needs to be taken for all who begin to wear them. They need to be weaned into gradually. Let your foot get used to creating more motion and absorbing more forces. With proper break in time, most people have success in these shoes.
Is there a perfect shoe?
The multimillion dollar industry of athletic shoes strives to find the “perfect shoe.”
Even with so many options, improper footwear seems to be every place you look. Most shoes, to some degree, inhibit the energy that would normally get dissipated in the foot. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed; therefore, this energy just keeps traveling up the chain. The knee is the joint above the foot, and is the first in line to decelerate this energy. Since everything is connected in the body, what the foot doesn't do optimally will only be placed upon other joints up the chain.
In a nutshell, the optimal shoe is an individual fit. There is no one perfect shoe. Individuals need to find the most flexible and least restrictive shoe their foot can tolerate.
Can we believe all the hype and spokespeople?
NO!! This is a multimillion dollar industry.
These companies want your dollars. Brooke Burke did not get that body wearing shape ups! When performing a research review, I could find no credible research studies on any of the Rocker Bottom shoes. Most of the data is anecdotal or is based on a study performed on a small group by the company itself. MTB has been brought to court over its misleading claims. Sketches is under an increasing group if lawsuits from individuals who have been injured in the shoes. In the case of Vibrams, most of the independent studies (Harvard, Scientific America) have been focused on only running benefits. But, again most of the information is anecdotal.
In summary, think for yourself. Do not be influenced by expensive campaigns to sway your mind. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! There is not a cure all or magic pill for anything. My best advice again is to find the most flexible and least restrictive shoe your foot can tolerate. If you have numerous problems with your foot, consult a professional (Podiatrist, Orthopedic foot specialist) who can steer you to the right shoe or orthotic.
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