The shoe must support the foot.
Very often we hear the opinion that footwear should support the foot. There are more than 20 muscles and 26 bones in the human foot, but it needs to be supported? Why?
If the shoe supports the foot too much, the muscles in the foot don’t have to work as hard. Over time, this can lead to muscle weakening as they don’t get the load and stimulation they need. In the long term, too much support can lead to muscular atrophy, or muscle atrophy, as the leg muscles do not develop and strengthen as needed.
A shoe that supports the foot excessively can interfere with the natural movement and biomechanics of the foot. This can affect the movement of the whole body and cause compensatory movements that can lead to overuse and injuries in other parts of the body such as the knees, hips and back.
The natural wear and tear and shock absorption of the feet are reduced when the footwear takes over this function with excessive support. This can increase stress on joints and tissues, especially during running and walking.
Excessive support reduces the ability of the feet to sense uneven ground and to receive sensory signals needed to maintain balance and coordinate movement. Excessive support can prevent the feet and body from adapting to different surfaces and movement patterns. This can increase the risk of injury if the body is not used to changing conditions.
Proprioception, or the sense of posture and movement, can be impaired because the feet do not receive enough sensory stimulation, which is essential for improving balance and coordination.
Excessive support can cause long-term damage to the structures of the foot, such as plantar fasciitis, overloading of the Achilles tendon and other ligaments and tendons. In the long term, excessive support of the foot can lead to chronic problems and injuries that can limit mobility and quality of life.
Barefoot shoes or minimalist footwear that allows the feet to move naturally and the muscles to strengthen can help prevent the above problems and improve foot health and overall well-being. View the range online or visit our store in Tartu.