How does footwear negatively impact foot function?
• The cushioning effect of conventional footwear inhibits the sensory stimulus (to the sole of the foot) that is needed to trigger the proper muscle function required to align the bones for optimal stability. • Rigid soled and enclosed footwear restricts the full foot flexion (the natural raising of the arch and vertical movement of the toes) necessary to manage impact stresses effectively. Rigid soles inhibit natural walking and running dynamics and increase the forces the foot must manage. Shallow toe boxes restrict the natural toe movement required to form a strong stable arch. Tight lacing inhibits the natural raising of the arch in response to increased loads, causing the foot to flatten, which promotes inefficient bone alignment and structural instability that weakens the restricted muscles and causes other muscles to fatigue from overwork. In all instances, damaging degenerative stresses increase relative to the degree of cushioning, support, and restrictiveness imposed by the f
• The cushioning effect of conventional footwear inhibits the sensory stimulus (to the sole of the foot) that is needed to trigger the proper muscle function required to align the bones for optimally stability. • Rigid soled and enclosed footwear restricts the full foot flexion (the natural raising of the arch and vertical movement of the toes) necessary to manage impact stresses effectively. Rigid soles inhibit natural walking and running dynamics and increase the forces the foot must manage. Shallow toe boxes restrict the natural toe movement required to form a strong stable arch. Tight lacing inhibits the natural raising of the arch in response to increased loads, causing the foot to flatten, which promotes inefficient bone alignment and structural instability that weakens the restricted muscles and causes other muscles to fatigue from overwork. In all instances, damaging degenerative stresses increase relative to the degree of cushioning, support, and restrictiveness imposed by the
