Already present a hundred years ago in work shoes, it has been introduced for about ten years also in athletic footwear and beyond.
We are talking about the raised toe (toe spring) Nowadays there are many shoes with thick soles essential to improve the support even on the most uneven terrain to the detriment, however, of the fingers whose bending is made so impossible or almost. While walking or running, the calf pulse transmits its force to the forefoot at the exact moment the heel lands on the ground. The raised toe can perform a rolled-up movement (the same that would have been obtained with bare foot) and consequently guarantee a more harmonious transition during the step.
The benefits of the so-called "toe spring", hitherto never scientifically confirmed, have been investigated with an international research published in Scientific Reports. Scientists have found that, compared to shoes with a flat sole, shoes with a raised toe guarantee a reduction in muscle intensity. The study, comparing toes with different lifts, focused attention on the biomechanical consequences related to the muscles of the whole leg. On average, the curvature that can be found on the market is 15 degrees. The participants first wore shoes made especially for them (10 to 40 degree bends) and then a thong-type shoe. A series of sensors placed on the knees, ankles and feet detected 3D data on the movement in the meantime. From this it emerged that the increase has beneficial effects. In fact, the muscular work around the joints that connect the bones of the fingers and foot is reduced.
But finger position isn't the only factor to consider. The raised toe, through the winch mechanism, also acts on the rigidity of the insole. As a result, the structure of the tissues changes, the insole arches and a better connection is established between the metatarsus and the heel. The mobility of the parts and their flexibility, in fact, allows the foot to adapt to the ground and makes propulsive thrust more efficient. On the contrary, if a subject does not have a metatarsal extension, instead of arching the foot he is forced to push the movement up to the tips of the fingers with considerable stress for the calf. Over the years this has resulted in the growth of bone structures and the formation of hallux valgus. The raised toe, however, in the long term could lead to a weakening of the muscles of the foot and thus cause plantar fasciitis. Experts therefore advise not to wear "toe spring" shoes every day.
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