Looking good is definitely serious business for me, but should we be doing this at the expense of our health/well being?
Biomechanists at the University of Queensland discover the dangerous effects wearing high heels day after day may have on women.
Do you find high heels uncomfortable but inevitable when it comes to your wardrobe? Many women strap them on to look and feel sexy, professional, or to boost confidence. In reality, while your shoes might be beautiful and hard to resist, researchers point to some side effects that come about from wearing high heels regularly.
In his study, Dr Neil Cronin and his team decided to examine the gait of regular heel wearers compared to non-wearers. Up till now, very little, if any research has been done on this topic, and there is a bit of skepticism and controversy over whether or not wearing heels does any damage at all to a wearers musculo-skeletal structure. Recruiting ten non-wearers and nine regular heel wearers (40 + hours per week), clear gait and biomechanical differences became evident.
Each group was asked to walk up and down a 26 foot-long platform which measures pressure and force. They were also all fixed with electrode sensors to pick up muscle activity at different locations along the calf muscle and leg. They were also hooked up to motion sensors to track their gait. The non-wearers walked barefoot, ten times up and down the platform. The heel-wearers walked both in their own favorite heels and barefoot, along the platform ten times each. All this data proved that the heel wearers most definitely had developed a different gait and muscle/ tendon structure from heels.
Researchers also point out their subjects averaged 25 years of age, and the effects of regular heel wearing is already evident in them, showing that it does not take decades before permanent changes take place. With the new norm in regular heel wearing women's lower legs, it becomes dangerous to put on different types of shoes, for example, running shoes at the gym. Injuries become far more likely when footware is changed completely because the structures of the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons have been trained to function in a specific manner with heels.
There are several other problems that arise from wearing heels regularly, that are indisputable. With each inch added to a heel, greater problems can arise. There are also ways to wear heels more safely...
High heels were definitely created by a man. We know they weren't created by a woman, because they are definitely not comfortable or functional (try running to catch the bus!). However, this also tells us what they were designed for. To make a women look more attractive to men. Elongating the legs, making the calves appear more shapely and changing the center of gravity from the heel to the ball of the feet to force the butt and chest out for balance.
While all of these things are pleasing for guys, women enjoy fitting into this beauty norm as well. Matching a pair of heels to your new office outfit can be fun, but sometimes a challenge. As the center of gravity moves forward to the ball of the feet, the pressure on the feet can be painful after a few hours. More serious effects begin to occur over time. Besides the changing of the gait and tendon lengths, there is more wear and tear on the joints.
The knees, hips and back take a real beating when it comes to wearing heels. Because of the altered position, all of these joints are forced into awkward and unnatural positions. The cartilage between bones can start to wear down over time. This can cause joint pain, and is a precursor to arthritis.
In his study, Dr Neil Cronin and his team decided to examine the gait of regular heel wearers compared to non-wearers. Up till now, very little, if any research has been done on this topic, and there is a bit of skepticism and controversy over whether or not wearing heels does any damage at all to a wearers musculo-skeletal structure. Recruiting ten non-wearers and nine regular heel wearers (40 + hours per week), clear gait and biomechanical differences became evident.
Each group was asked to walk up and down a 26 foot-long platform which measures pressure and force. They were also all fixed with electrode sensors to pick up muscle activity at different locations along the calf muscle and leg. They were also hooked up to motion sensors to track their gait. The non-wearers walked barefoot, ten times up and down the platform. The heel-wearers walked both in their own favorite heels and barefoot, along the platform ten times each. All this data proved that the heel wearers most definitely had developed a different gait and muscle/ tendon structure from heels.
What does the research all mean?
The findings revealed that high heels caused a change in the way that the muscles and tendons worked together while walking. Normally, a tendon stretches and shortens, making walking easy on the muscles of the calf. However, heels wearing caused the tendons- and especially the achiles tendon to shorten, leaving the strain on the muscles of the calf to do all the work. Strides were also more forceful and shorter in these women, even without heels on. The researchers concluded that in a short amount of time, the body quickly adapts to wearing high heels as the new 'normal' for walking, and can cause permanent changes to the tendons and to the biomechanics of walking.Researchers also point out their subjects averaged 25 years of age, and the effects of regular heel wearing is already evident in them, showing that it does not take decades before permanent changes take place. With the new norm in regular heel wearing women's lower legs, it becomes dangerous to put on different types of shoes, for example, running shoes at the gym. Injuries become far more likely when footware is changed completely because the structures of the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons have been trained to function in a specific manner with heels.
There are several other problems that arise from wearing heels regularly, that are indisputable. With each inch added to a heel, greater problems can arise. There are also ways to wear heels more safely...
Can We Wear High Heels Safely
High heels were definitely created by a man. We know they weren't created by a woman, because they are definitely not comfortable or functional (try running to catch the bus!). However, this also tells us what they were designed for. To make a women look more attractive to men. Elongating the legs, making the calves appear more shapely and changing the center of gravity from the heel to the ball of the feet to force the butt and chest out for balance.
While all of these things are pleasing for guys, women enjoy fitting into this beauty norm as well. Matching a pair of heels to your new office outfit can be fun, but sometimes a challenge. As the center of gravity moves forward to the ball of the feet, the pressure on the feet can be painful after a few hours. More serious effects begin to occur over time. Besides the changing of the gait and tendon lengths, there is more wear and tear on the joints.
The knees, hips and back take a real beating when it comes to wearing heels. Because of the altered position, all of these joints are forced into awkward and unnatural positions. The cartilage between bones can start to wear down over time. This can cause joint pain, and is a precursor to arthritis.
Wear Heels Safely
To avoid any serious damage, its a good idea to start looking for lower heels. At about 2 inches, heels are both safe and comfy, a compromise for both fashion and health.Here are a few other ways you can try to wear heels in safe ways:
- Wear soft insoles in your heels to get a little more support and cushioning for the foot and heel.
- Only use high heels on days when you have little walking to do, and few high energy activities to get to. Rushing around in heels can become uncomfortable very quickly.
- Use high heels for special occasions rather than on a regular or daily basis. Using them less frequently will reduce the long term effects of high heels.
- Walk correctly in heels. Rather than stepping with the toe first, or striking the ground with the heel and toe at the same time, step heel to toe as you would if walking in any other shoes.
This is a shoking revelation, more ladies need to hear this.
ReplyDeleteGood job Elly...cheers
Obinna Okoro