Myth #1. Shoes should support the foot.
Shoes must support the foot.
We often hear the opinion that shoes should support the foot. There are over 20 muscles and 26 bones in the human foot, but does it need to be supported? Why?
If a shoe provides too much support, the muscles in your foot don't have to work as hard. This can lead to muscle weakness over time because they don't get the necessary load and stimulation. In the long run, too much support can lead to muscle atrophy, or wasting away, because your leg muscles don't develop and strengthen as they should.
Shoes that overly support the foot can disrupt the natural movement and biomechanics of the foot. This can affect the movement of the entire body and cause compensatory movements that can lead to overload and injury in other parts of the body, such as the knees, hips and back.
The natural cushioning and shock absorption of the feet are reduced when a shoe with excessive support takes over this function. This can increase the stress on joints and tissues, especially during running and walking.
Excessive support reduces the ability of the feet to sense uneven ground and receive sensory signals needed for balance and coordination. 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 accustomed to changing conditions.
Proprioception, or the sense of body position and movement, may deteriorate because the feet do not receive enough sensory stimuli, which are important for improving balance and coordination.
Overpronation can cause long-term damage to foot structures, such as overloading the plantar fascia, Achilles tendon, and other ligaments and tendons. In the long term, overpronation can lead to chronic problems and injuries that can limit movement and quality of life.
Barefoot shoes or minimalist footwear that allows your feet to move naturally and your muscles to strengthen can help prevent the above problems and improve foot health and overall well-being. View selection in the online store or visit our store in Tartu.
