It is common that it is dangerous to wear ballet shoes or sneakers-supposedly they do not correspond to the structure of the foot and thereby negatively affect the musculoskeletal system. We decided to check if this belief is confirmed by scientific data.

That Russian shoes are harmful, Russian write Federal media, Internet portals And publications For women. In many sources Emphashesthat wearing ballets or sneakers can lead to problems with the musculoskeletal system, joint pain, feet deformation and posture disorders. In 2014, the State Duma deputy from Fair Russia Oleg Mikheev even Offered Limit the import and production of shoes with a flat sole and high -heeled on the territory of the Customs Union of the EAEU.

Evolutionarily human foot in particular and the entire musculoskeletal system as a whole Designed For walking barefoot. The first prototype of shoes was animal skins in which our ancestors wrapped their feet. Archaeological finds indicate that a person shoes in moccasins sewn from parts of skins more than 40,000 years ago. Gradually, shoes were modified, and under different natural conditions their models appeared: sandals for a hotter climate or boots that cover part of the leg. Vladimir Kenis from the Children's Orthopedic Institute. G.I. Tourner Explainsthat the tradition of wearing shoes in its modern sense: a firm sole, the soft upper part - by historical standards recent, in Russia this practice has become relatively mass no more than two centuries ago. Before that, people wore shoes that had no sole and a backdrop and which did not support the leg in any special position, and the main tasks of this wardrobe item was to prevent damage and protection against extreme temperatures.

Opponents of shoes on flat soles express Several basic arguments. Firstly, due to its form, it contributes to the development of flat feet. Secondly, due to the lack of heels, the weight of the body when walking in the shoes on a flat sole shifts back, which, in turn, leads to muscle overload. Thirdly, such shoes overloads all joints of the legs-from the ankle to the hip, since when walking, the sole directly hit the surface, this blow is transmitted upward throughout the body, affecting the spine up to the neck.

Let's deal with these fears in turn. The occurrence of flat feet is in no way associated with the thickness and shape of the shoe sole. The arch of the foot Determined First of all, genetics can contribute to the development of flat feet, tendon injuries, bone fractures, a number of congenital and acquired diseases (cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, hypertension, diabetes). Some forms of flat feet do not cause a person any tangible problems, with others he can experience pain of varying degrees of severity. To reduce unpleasant sensations, the doctor can really recommend changing shoes, but wearing a particular style cannot lead to flat feet or, conversely, protect against its appearance. Kenis Curses This comparison: shoes affect the shape of the foot in the same way as the hat - on the shape of the head.

Body weight when walking in sneakers or ballet shoes really shifting back. So, a study of the 3D models of the female foot conducted by Chinese scientists in 2007, showedthat standing in a flat -sole shoes in comparison with a heeled shoes leads to a lower pressure to the front departments of the foot. At the same time, the pressure on the muscles supporting the arch of the foot (in particular, on the plantar fascia), on the contrary, increases. 2016 modeling also Demonstratedthat the replacement of completely flat shoes with small heels (5.08 cm) reduces the strength of the tension of the plantar fascia in a standing position, but increases the tension of ligamentous structures between the foot and ankle, which can lead to the instability of the latter. Researchers suggested that for people who already have diseases of the soft tissues of the foot, for prolonged standing it is better to choose shoes with a small heel, but recommendations for which sole will be optimal for healthy people were not taken out.

In 2019, Australian scientists Compared The influence of shoes with different soles on the muscles of the legs of healthy men who regularly play sports. They invited 50 volunteers and offered half of them to train in shoes with a thin flat sole, half in ordinary sports shoes, the sole of which repeated the structure of the foot. After 20 weeks, people from the first group of the ankle muscle turned out to be more trained, while their treadmills and mineral density of the bones of the lower extremities did not differ from volunteers from the second group. Those muscle groups that trained in flat shoes are important for performing a push while walking, running or jumping, so it can facilitate overcoming large distances.

The influence of flat shoes on the joints is also devoted to a number of scientific works. In 2009, American scientists Tested different shoes on physical models. They took the most popular prostheses of the feet and ankles and alternately shod them in shoes on flat soles or with a heel of different heights. Researchers noted that, depending on the sole, the ankle and the knee joint change the nature of their movements in order to optimally adapt to its height and shape. The authors of the experiment preferred prostheses to real people, since it was extremely problematic to evaluate the tension of the tissues and fix the joint movements of living subjects-in this case, the sensors need to be introduced inside the muscles and joints, which is impossible due to ethical restrictions associated with the risk of injuries from volunteers.

However, some studies in public were still conducted. So, in 2016, Australian scientists Offered Volunteers with osteoarthritis of the knee joint wear and vilify different types of shoes. A total of 28 participants in the experiment were tested by six pairs of shoes that differed in the type of sole: flat flexible (up to 15 mm heel) or thicker (heel from 30 mm). The volunteers on the same time put on every couple and went to the laboratory for some time (the researchers did not indicate the exact duration of each phase of the experiment, but judging by the fact that the entire experiment took one working day, this period of time is unlikely to exceed two to three hours).

Some types of shoes studied as part of the study

Then the volunteers filled the questionnaire in which they described their sensations: they appreciated the comfort of walking in every pair, the pain in the feet and knees, as well as the total tension. Shoes with the thinnest sole turned out to be the most convenient in all respects. Scientists explained the results obtained by the fact that when wearing such shoes, the load is distributed more evenly and the knee joints do not suffer. At the same time, in a similar experiment of 2021, in which 164 participants with an osteoarthritis of the knee joint participated, a flat sole did not show No advantages against the thicker, but repeating structure of the foot. The authors of another study, in which 31 volunteers with diseases of the knee joints took part, discoveredthat wearing shoes with a flat sole reduces the load on the damaged joint.

Due to small samples and restrictions in the design of the experiments, it is still difficult to determine which thickness of the sole is optimal for comfortable and safe walking. However, it is reliably known which shoes should definitely be avoided in order to minimize the risk of negative health consequences. Firstly, these are too narrow shoes. Even a one -time wearing such a couple can bring To Bursitis (inflammation of the periosword bag), and constant - to the valgus deformation of the first finger of the foot.

Valgus deformation of the first finger of the foot. Source

The second is important characteristic Shoes are comprehensive support of the foot. In a correctly selected pair, the leg should not hang from side to side. Finally, the third condition is a sufficient size of shoes, between the longest toe of the leg and the shoe tole Must be the distance with the thickness of the finger of the finger on the hand.

With all these three characteristics, a pair of shoes with the sole of any thickness can possess (or not have). Judging by the available scientific data, flat shoes are unlikely to be suitable for those who suffer from pain in the heel, and a small heel, on the contrary, will redistribute pressure. As for people with diseases of the knee joints, the results of the experiments vary: some studies demonstrate the advantages of flat shoes, others do not find any differences. At the same time, the ankle joint and ankle of a healthy person, judging by the modeling data, are able to adapt both to flat shoes and to shoes with a small heel.

Image on the cover: Image by Splitshire From Pixabay