Flip-flops are at their peak in popularity, but for the sake of your feet and legs, you should alternate with other types of footwear in your closet.
by Staff
September 11, 2008
2 min to read
People who favor flip-flops as their primary footwear option may experience lower leg pain and a change in their stride, according to research presented at the 55th annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. The study compared flip-flops to sneakers to assess the angles at which they impact the floor and the force upon contact with the ground while walking. Researchers analyzed the gait of flip-flop wearers compared to their gait while wearing sneakers.
By compiling the forces that the foot is exerting on the ground, they found a statistically significant decrease in the vertical (straight-down) force in flip-flop wearers. This decreased force may explain anecdotal evidence flip-flop wearers alter their normal gait and may shed light as to why some experience lower leg pain.
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“Flip-flops are not designed for prolonged use or for walking long distances,” says Justin F. Shroyer, lead author on the study. “They lack the support that a walking or running shoe provides. Flip-flops should only be worn casually and for shorter periods of time.”
Shroyer also noted:
• Some flip-flops on the market may provide more support, but are usually more expensive. For someone with lower-leg or foot problems, Shroyer recommends they limit their usage and choose a flip-flop with more support.
• Flip-flops should be replaced often. Despite claims that they are the most comfortable when they are “broken in,” they should be replaced every few months just as a runner would with running shoes.
Flip-flops aren't the only shoes causing our feet to ache. Read High-Heel Stats for the numbers on heel wearers in pain.
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