Newswise — Kendrick Whitney, a professor of podiatric medicine and orthopedics who specializes in shoe function and design, gives his thoughts on some of this summer's most popular shoe types.
Toning shoesThe toning sneakers out on the market today have their roots in the medical field; in the mid-90s, the first rocker bottom shoes were introduced that mimicked a more natural way of walking to help improve posture and balance. The shoes had a relatively unstable bottom and provided an effect similar to walking on sand.
The next generation of shoes came with fitness claims – the idea being that since the calves and thighs had to work harder to maintain balance in these shoes, they could help tone problem areas.
"But before cancelling that health club membership, consider that the American Council of Exercise has found the shoes provide minimal exercise benefit, and realistically, they're not going to give the wearer the higher bottom or tighter legs they're hoping for unless they plan to do a lot more walking," says Whitney – as in, several miles per day.
However, the shoes do have several benefits: wearers tend to be more motivated to exercise, they can help improve back pain by improving posture, and they can help reduce stress to the heels, forefoot, knees and hip joints. They can also help with muscular function, but Whitney says it's important to consider the shoe's weight; heavier shoes can act similarly to ankle weights.
Barefoot running shoesBy now, most people have seen the funky, five-fingered shoes designed to mimic the act of barefoot running. Are they really good for you? Whitney says yes – but mainly for those already experienced with barefoot running.
"Barefoot running has been going on in cultures all over the world for centuries," he said. "They are trained to use their feet differently when they run – using the forefoot and toes. But very few people in Western cultures are training that way; their heels hit the ground first, and we run on hard surfaces, so we've become accustomed to a very rigid, supportive running shoe."
The problem arises, he says, when people who have been running in traditional running shoes begin immediately running in the barefoot shoes, especially on hard unnatural surfaces, with little to no transition period.
He says the key with both the toning shoes and the barefoot shoes is to ease into them, and ideally, to have a podiatrist or orthopedist examine the legs and feet to make sure they're good candidates for these types of shoes.
"You can't put an unstable foot into an unstable shoe," he says. But, more stable rocker-bottom style shoes are available for those with less than ideal foot or body balance.
Roll-up flats and flip flopsFor women who've ever suffered the pain of standing for hours in heels, several companies are now marketing flats that are cheap and can roll up and store discreetly into a handbag. And the old standby, flip-flops, can be purchased for relatively little money at many stores. Whitney calls these EFCs – excuses for foot coverings.
"It's like wearing slippers outside," he said. "They provide poor stability, no support, and you can actually do more damage by changing directly from heels into these types of shoes." To prevent injury, he recommends doing calf stretches and foot circles "with the same regularity that you brush your teeth."
For flip flops, he says there are several on the market that provide excellent support. "They have padding in the forefoot and arches to even out pressure distribution, and the heel cup is lower to the ground."
As with most things, a good quality shoe will cost a little more. Whitney says not to be swayed by cheaper imitations.
"You get what you pay for," he said. "And a well-made shoe is an excellent investment that can last you for several years."
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